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Purpose
The purpose of the MEP is to design and support programs that help migratory children overcome the challenges of mobility, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, and other difficulties associated with a migratory lifestyle. These efforts are aimed at helping migratory students succeed in school and successfully transition to postsecondary education, military, and/or employment.
Children are our future...
Children are our future, and we must help the neediest children overcome the challenges of meeting achievement standards. Gaps in educational opportunity and achievement are closed when those closest to the affected students—parents, families, and communities—are involved in decision-making. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) defines parent and family engagement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, ensuring:
- Parents and families play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning.
- Parents and families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school.
- Parents and families are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child.
- Other activities are carried out that will build the capacity of all parents and families.1
Parent Engagement
Parent engagement is more than parent involvement, which focuses on the number of parents attending meetings and volunteering. Parent engagement builds capability with parents thus providing them opportunities to function as advocates and take part in decision-making processes for the program. Parental engagement provides the parent with encouragement, tools, resources and opportunities to become fully involved in their child’s education, thus guaranteeing educational support in the home. In building these respectful partnerships and collaborating with parents, MEP can improve the academic performance of migratory children.
For parent engagement efforts...
For parent engagement efforts, Title I, Part C funds may be used to ensure that all programs and projects:
- Provide for the same parent involvement as required in Section 1116
- Are carried out in a format and language understandable to the parents
- To the extent feasible, provide for
- Advocacy and outreach activities for migratory children and their families, including informing and assisting such children and families to gain access to other education, health, nutrition, and social services
- Professional development programs
- Family literacy programs
