Research > Environmental Scan > Programs > Colorado Migrant Education Program

Colorado Migrant Education Program
Video: Si Sail -- A Centennial BOCES program in Greeley, Colorado that supports refugee and migrant learners in education.
About
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cde_english/elau_migrant.htm
Location: Denver, Colorado
Contact: Tomás Mejía, Principal Consultant, Colorado Department of Education
Email: mejia_t@cde.state.co.us
Migrant Education Program (MEP) Components
  • Home component
  • Trust component: between parents, community, educational institutions and MEP
  • Cultural ambassador interpreters
  • Both children and parents are interested in learning English
Source:Video: Si Sail

Migrant Education Program (MEP) Goals
  • Overall goal is parent-empowerment and providing them with the tools and resources to empower themselves such as books
  • Support high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migratory children in order to reduce the educational disruption and other problems that result from repeated moves; 
  • Ensure that migratory children are provided with appropriate educational services (including supportive services) that address their special needs in a coordinated and efficient manner;  
  • Design programs to help migratory children overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems, and other factors that inhibit their ability to do well in school, and to prepare them to make a successful transition to post-secondary education or employment
Source: Tomás Mejía's presentation below
How the Bin Program Works
Assessing the Bin  Program
The purpose of the Bin Program is to provide resources and instruction to parents on how to work with their children, 0-5, in Mathematics, Reading and Writing.
  • One bin is brought to the migrant families every three – four weeks.
  • All services are provided in a language that the parent understands and translators are used if necessary (Kareni, Somali)
  • MEP Service providers are trained to provide school readiness services

The program has collaborated with Bright Beginnings and has been successful. However, one time a year was not adequate so we began to implement our "bins" program. Time varies but every third week, a migrant liaison visits a home after an initial school readiness checklist (like an observation survey with age appropriate skills) to provide bins filled with all the materials needed for the parent and child to do many different activities related to literacy and mathematics. 

We conduct a pre-assessment and a post-bin assessment to see how the child is doing with the activities and for a final evaluation. After the family has used the bin for three weeks, we go to the house and change the bin to a new one. Surveys are administered to the parents/guardians after each bin has been used by the parent for three to four weeks. This is all done in a language that the parent understands.
Preschool Readiness Checklist
Libraries can readily adopt this checklist and work in groups and individually with parents in completing it.

The form complements both ECRR 1 and ECRR 2.
The liaison works together with the parent to complete this checklist. The parent rates the child in terms of his or her readiness for preschool in the following areas over a period of 3 dates to determine growth or lack thereof:
  • Concept Development
  • Physical Development
  • Number Concept Development
  • Language Development
  • Writing Development
  • Social and Emotional Development
  • Parent Involvement
Administering the Preschool Readiness Checklist
  • The questions on this 3-page checklist are designed to help parents understand whether their child is ready for entering kindergarten.
  • As the liaison interviews the parent or primary caregiver, they begin each item with the phrase: “How often does your child….”
  • The ratings are as follows:
    Always-3, Sometimes-2, and Never-1.
  • Placing the dates in the three boxes below each question signify when the parent responded to an item, thereby keeping a record of the child’s readiness.
  • This checklist is administered prior to any MEP services being provided
  • This checklist is also administered at end of year, after services are provided
Measurable Program Outcomes (MPO) on School Readiness
  • MPO 1a: After participating in MEP-sponsored activities to strengthen parent involvement around school readiness, 80% of migrant parents whose 3-5 year old children are enrolled in the MEP will report positive growth in their ability to help with their children’s school readiness.
  • MPO 1b: Migrant children ages 3-5 (not in kindergarten), who are receiving MEP services, will increase their school readiness.

Target Audience: Migrant families
From MEP Resources
IDENTIFICATION & RECRUITMENT
Families can qualify:
  1. If they work in an agricultural-related field or
  2. If they intended to work in an agricultural-related field.
However, if a family has been in the area for longer than 36 months they do not qualify for the Migrant Education Program.

Identifying families that may qualify for Migrant services is done through the eight local programs via Educational Recruiters who identify families by getting in touch with their local schools, contacting employers that work in an agricultural-related field or through word of mouth.
Sustained effort over time
The Preschool Readiness Checklist is administered 3 times over a period of time to determine improvement or lack thereof in preschool readiness.

The Bins Program is administered every 3 to 4 weeks over an extended period of time.
Active involvement of participants
MEP includes a state-level Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
The PAC plays a critical role in the effectiveness of the MEP. The PAC is made up of one representative from each program. A chair and a secretary are elected every year in the spring and serve for one year. Although MEP staff or community members can be part of the state PAC, only parents that participate can vote on issues.

The PAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of Migrant Education. The PAC meets a minimum of three times a year and the PAC's advice assists the Director in making decisions to improve the program. Meetings for the PAC provide information as well as professional development. The meetings are held at various sites throughout the state in order to accommodate all of the six programs.
Partnerships with other organizations
Tomas Mejia recommends that
  1. Get to know the population
  2. Hire individuals that are culturally and linguistically qualified to serve the diverse populations
Assessments
School Readiness Checklist
  • Administered prior to any MEP services provided
  • Administered at end of year, after services are provided
Bin Surveys
  • Administered  to the parents/guardians after each bin has been used by the parent for three to four weeks
Annual survey
  • Administered to MEP parents with children 0-5 who have received MEP services

Individual attention
Home visits are done on an individual basis by the MEP staff and Cultural Ambassador
Cultural Proficiency
MEP services are co-provided by Cultural Ambassadors not only in the language that the family understands but also in the culture
MEP services are co-provided by Cultural Ambassadors not only in the language that the family understands but also in the culture

MEP makes materials available in English and Spanish including:
MEP Brochure: English
MEP Brochure: Spanish

Tomas Mejia recommends that
  1. Get to know the population
  2. Hire individuals that are culturally and linguistically qualified to serve the diverse populations