The purpose of this part is to assist States to:

• support high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migratory children to help reduce the educational disruptions and other problems that result from repeated moves;
• ensure that migratory children who move among the States are not penalized in any manner by disparities among the States in curriculum, graduation requirements, and State academic content and student academic achievement standards;
• ensure that migratory children are provided with appropriate educational services (including supportive services) that address their special needs in a coordinated and efficient manner;
• ensure that migratory children receive full and appropriate opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards that all children are expected to meet;
• design programs to help migratory children overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems, and other factors that inhibit the ability of such children to do well in school, and to prepare such children to make a successful transition to postsecondary education or employment; and
• ensure that migratory children benefit from State and local systemic reforms.

According to sections 1115(b)(1)(A) and 1309(2) of the statute and section 200.81(d) of the regulations, a child is eligible for the MEP if:

1. The child is younger than 22 and has not graduated from high school or does not hold a high school equivalency certificate (this means that the child is entitle d to a free public education or is of an age below compulsory school attendance); and
2. The child is a migrant agricultural worker or a migrant fisher or has a parent, spouse, or guardian who is a migrant agricultural worker or a migrant fisher; and
3. The child has moved within the preceding 36 months in order to obtain (or seek) or to accompany (or join) a parent, spouse, or guardian to obtain (or seek), temporary or seasonal employment in qualifying agricultural or fishing work; and
4. Such employment is a principal means of livelihood; and
5. The child:
   1. Has moved from one school district to another; or
   2. In a State that is comprised of a single school district, has moved from one administrative area to another within such district; or
   3. Resides in a school district of more than 15,000 square miles and migrates a distance of 20 miles or more to a temporary residence to engage in a fishing activity. (This provision currently applies only to Alaska).

HURON

• Jolene Konechne, 105 5th Street SW, Huron SD 57350-0949, Phone: 605-353-6992, Fax: 605-353-6993
• Dawn Marshall, 1045 18th SW, Huron, SD 57350, Phone: 605-353-6900, Fax: 605-353-6913

SIOUX FALLS

• Sara Klaahsen, 201 E. 38th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105-5898, Phone: 605-367-7900, Fax: 605-367-7871

STATEWIDE CONSORTIUM

• Gwyneth Dean-Fastnacht, Migrant Statewide Consortium, Phone: 605-354-3826
• Bobbie Kilber, Migrant Statewide Consortium, Phone: 605-295-0423

National Migrant Hotline

1-800-234-8848
If you and your family move from one school district to another to work in farming or agriculture, your child might be eligible for the migrant education program. To find out if your child is eligible, or to contact the local migrant education program for services, call from any place in the country.

When you call, be prepared to give the following information:

• Your Name
  
• Where You Are Located
• Where You Moved From
• When A Recruiter Could Visit You

• Certificate of Eligibility (English)
• Certificate of Eligibility (Spanish)
• Comprehensive Needs Assessment Summary Report
• Eligibility Factors
• Service Delivery Plan
• South Dakota Evaluation Report
• Recruitment Manual
• ESEA Migrant Student Guidance