Migrant workers seek temporary or seasonal work in agriculture, fishing or related industries. They follow the growing seasons across the country and are largely responsible for the cultivation and harvest of fruits, vegetables and many other food products. A large percent of migrant workers have an average income below the national poverty line.

     The migrant population is made up of diverse ethnic groups. In Arkansas Hispanics and Whites make up the largest groups with Southeast Asians, African Americans, and other racial and ethnic groups completing the remainder of the migrant population. While many migrant families consider Arkansas to be their home base, others come from Texas, California, Florida, Mexico and many other states and countries.

     Most school programs, including those supported by Title I, are set up on a nine-month academic calendar. However, when migrant children move with their families, their education as well as their lives is disrupted, often many times a year. Migrant children may come from large families with inadequate living space and low incomes. Poor nutrition, housing and sanitary conditions can cause a high incidence of health problems. Many migrant children have limited English skills and/or little experience with success in school. These problems combined with irregular school attendance often lead to overall frustration and low academic performance causing some migrant children to drop out of school in their teens.

     Since they are poorly prepared for and have little knowledge of other kinds of work, young migrant people usually face a high risk of unemployment or become part of the migrant labor force. These children can be helped to enjoy school and to overcome their difficulties. Through the Migrant Education Program, they can achieve an education and develop their skills and options for the future. In addition, the program helps them develop self-confidence and self-esteem.

     To qualify for the Migrant Education Program, a migrant child must have moved within the past thirty-six months across state or school district lines. The child can be by himself or herself, with a spouse, a migrant parent or a guardian and the purpose of the move must be to enable the child, the child's guardian, or a member of the child's immediate family to seek or obtain temporary or seasonal employment in an agricultural or fishing activity. The child must be twenty-one years old or less and not have graduated from high school or received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

     Upon meeting these requirements the Migrant Education Program may provide the supplemental and support services needed by the qualifying migrant child.