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Frequently used terms
Parent(s): the person legally caring for a migratory student; could be a guardian
Child/children: youth aged 0-21 who have not graduated from high school or earned a HSE certificate
Student: youth enrolled in a public school in Texas
If you see the words “English Only” next to a website, this means the resource does not have a translation option and is only available in English
If you see this icon, 
it means that the service or resource described is provided by
the MEP and only available to migratory students.
Districts, schools, and the MEP may reach out to parents and families using many forms of communication, such as email, text, websites, and social media. With so many different ways to communicate, families may need help learning about and using these methods of communication.
In an effort to connect parents with schools, the MEP is prepared to help migratory families learn more about the technology available to them. Continue reading to learn more about specific technology available.
The MEP is available to help migratory families understand the technology their child needs. The MEP can provide training on how to use these devices, including desktop computers, laptop computers, iPads, tablets, Chromebooks, and tutorial assistance devices (e.g., Study Buddy, LeapFrog). Contact the local MEP recruiter or staff for information about how to use these devices at school and at home to support your child’s educational needs.
Migratory students may be able to borrow technology from the district MEP to have access to these devices at home or anywhere they might travel.
Most districts and schools have a website on which they post information for parents and students. However, some websites may be difficult to access and navigate. The MEP may provide training with in-person tutorials on how to access important information on the school’s website. Parents are encouraged to contact the district MEP or school staff for guidance on how to access the following useful information on the school website:
- Calendars for school events
- Enrollment information and required documents to submit
- Student grades and assignments
- Parent committee events and meetings (PTO/PTA, PAC, LPAC, etc.)
- Volunteer forms and documentation
New tools and platforms are developed every day to help make communication more easily accessible. With the help of the MEP, migratory parents can learn about and successfully use new methods of communication and become empowered to quickly and easily communicate with their child’s teachers, administrators, and other school staff.
Click on a category to learn more.
Many school district staff communicate through email with parents and students. If you do not have an email account, reach out to your MEP staff for assistance.
- Text
Many school district staff also communicate through text with groups of parents and students using apps such as Remind and Class Dojo. If your child’s teacher uses one of these apps, you will receive a code and instructions on how to connect. Contact your child’s teacher if you are not sure whether they use an app.
There are many reasons why a school or district may send out surveys. Many school districts and educators send out questionnaires to gather parents’ input about topics that are important to the student’s education. Districts may use surveys to gather information about your child’s needs. Sometimes, the district or school wants to know what program topics students and parents need. In other situations, the school might want to know the best time of day for parents to attend a school program. Most surveys are very simple and easy to complete and submit. However, if you have trouble with a survey, contact the MEP recruiter or staff for assistance.
Many teachers and school staff use video conferencing to host meetings and events with families. The conferencing platforms are free and allow you to use audio and video to meet virtually with school staff. Teachers may record conferences so you can watch later if you cannot attend the live session. There are many different platforms your child’s school may use, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.
There are resources available for translation support to help you communicate with school staff and to navigate the school website. Many of these resources are free and can be accessed from laptops, computers, phones, and tablets.
Keep in mind that translation resources may not always provide the exact translation, but they are useful in understanding a conversation and written content.
Click on the free translation resource you would like to learn more about.Google Translate is a tool available to translate text from your web browser, or text and voice on your phone.
- To do a basic translation using Google Translate on your computer, follow these steps:
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Go to translate.google.com on your web browser.
On the left, choose the language you are translating from. It shows you buttons for three widely used languages. You can also choose a language from the drop-down menu.
In the text box on the left, type in the word or phrase you want to translate.
On the right, choose the language you want the word or phrase translated into.
Click Translate.
- To use Google Translate on your phone, go to the app store on your phone, download the Google Translate app, and follow the instructions.