Migrant Education Program
Gilmer County Schools is responsible for locating any children that may be part of a migrant family living in our school district and community, including those attending a private school or enrolled in home-school instruction. It is also required that the school system, community agencies, and parents work together to determine eligibility for and services available through the Migrant Education Program (MEP).
The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program designed to support comprehensive educational programs for migrant children and youth to help reduce the educational disruption and other problems that result from repeated moves. The primary purpose of the Georgia Migrant Education Program is to help migrant children and youth overcome challenges due to mobility, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, and other difficulties associated with the migratory lifestyle, in order to help them succeed through the academic and/or supplemental services provided to them.
Federal Definition of “migratory child” – 1. Age: The child is younger than 22; 2. Educational level: The child has not graduated from high school or does not hold a high school equivalency certificate (GED). If the child is too young to attend school–sponsored educational programs, is old enough to benefit from an organized instructional program; 3. Move: The child and worker move for economic necessity across School District lines to seek or obtain, or accompany a parent or guardian, to seek or obtain qualifying work; 4. The time of the move: The move occurred in the preceding 36 months; and 5. The purpose of the move: was to seek or obtain qualifying work or any kind of work and obtain qualifying work soon after the move. Qualifying work is work in agriculture, agricultural related, fishing, or fishing related, that is either seasonal or temporary work. The work must be performed only for wages or personal subsistence.
If you know a child that may qualify for the Migrant Education Program, call Lindy Patterson, Director of Federal Programs, at (706) 276-5000.