Migrant Education Program

1. Migrant Education Program No Child Left Behind

2. Parents, making the difference

3. Obstacles on the road to success... • Lack of information from the last school attended • Absences/Poor attendance • Varying levels of parental support • Disruption of education • Lack of credits for education

4. Lack of information • Make sure you or your child collects all information from previous school and present at the next school your child attends. • Withdrawal grades • Immunization records • Transcripts • High school students must also have: • Graduation plan • Culminating project materials (binder)

5. Attendance • Learn your school district policy for attendance • Is it really necessary for your child to miss school? • If your child misses school, do you let the school know when you are leaving and how long you will be gone, in writing? • Learn how your child can make up work in advance • Withdraw your child from school when he or she will miss numerous days from school (example: leave for Mexico).

6. Disruption of education • Taking your child out of school for work, travel, childcare, etc.. in the middle of the school year may result in loss of credit or being held back in school. • What are some options for your child so he/she doesn’t miss school? • Can he/she make up school work?

7. Varying Levels of Parental Support • Support your child in their education • Get involved in what is happening at school • Listen to your child. Give your child your undivided attention when he/she talks about school • Ask your child about their day at school • Volunteer at your school when possible • Attend parent/teacher conferences • Call the school district if you have ANY questions regarding your child’s education • Call the school if you have any questions regarding any forms that are sent home with your child

8. Lack of credit • Is your child behind in high school credits? Look into credit retrieval programs in your school • Can your child gain credit thru work experience? Find out. • Are there any credit granting agencies in your area? (OIC) • Is Portable Assisted Study Sequence (PASS) an option in your high school? • Does your school offer summer school? • Is Running Start an option in your school? • Does your district have a skills center that will help your child gain appropriate credit and advancement?

9. Overcoming the obstacles... • Your child’s education--Make it your priority and theirs (get involved) • What are the options available for your child that will enhance their education? • Keep track of your child’s progress in school • Support your child in their education and extra curricular activities • Plan ahead to avoid school absences. Notify the school in writing in advance when absence cannot be avoided. • Meet with school counselors to make sure that your high school child is current with credits and enrolled in courses that will satisfy graduation requirements. • Learn your high school graduation requirements for the school where your child will graduate from.

10. Tips that work This handout contains important tips that will help your child when entering a new school or withdrawing from the current school that he or she is attending. Your presenter may obtain this handout from SEMY or print from www.semy.org

11. Migrant Program Services • For more information on these programs please call: • 1-800-274-6084 • Migrant Student Data and Recruitment (MSDR) • Immunization Records • Educational Records • Secondary Education for Migrant Youth (SEMY) • Credit Retrieval Courses (PASS) • Student Leadership Program • Migrant Educational Regional Offices (MERO 105, 171, 189) • Parent Trainings • Curriculum Development • Migrant Health • Immunizations • Family Health support

12. For your information: Great resource for parents in Spanish and English on NCLB: www.ed.gov/espanol/parents/academics/involved/nclbguide.org