TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Required Identification and Recruitment of Migrant Students
This is to remind all superintendents that the Identification and recruitment of migrant students is required in all districts, including those not receiving Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program (MEP) funds. In the 1995-2000 Texas Consolidated State Plan, the Agency assures the U.S. Department of Education that migrant students will be actively recruited year-round in every district in the state.
By law we are required to identify and recruit every eligible migrant child residing in Texas between September 1, 1999 and August 31, 2000. Additionally, we must count every migrant child who receives MEP-funded instructional or support services during Summer School 2000, and/or, for year-round schools, during intersessions conducted between September 1, 1999, and August 31, 2000.
Both regular-year and summer/intersession enrollments must be put in the MEP's New Generation System (NGS). Texas depends on the NGS database to determine the annual planning amounts for all districts receiving Title I Part C Migrant funds, but NGS also helps districts qualify for the 5-percent ADA waiver (see attachment). In fact, this past school year nearly 200 non-Migrant districts identified migrant students, with many districts increasing their state funding by qualifying for the 5-percent ADA waiver.
With the state goal of increasing the number of migrant students by 10 percent this school year, the Agency will continue to take an active role in identification and recruitment in school year 1999-2000. While all districts that receive Migrant funds will continue to do their own recruiting, the 20 regional education service centers are responsible for helping all non-Migrant-funded districts with the recruitment of migrant children.
Thank you in advance for time and assistance. Please address any questions concerning Migrant recruitment to MEP staff at your regional education service center, or call the Agency's Division of Migrant Education at (512) 463-9067.
Sincerely,
Carol V. François
Associate Commissioner for the Education of Special Populations
For further information on this topic, contact .the Division of Migrant Education at (512) 463-9067.