Definition - Any student who has moved with his/her parents in the past 36 months for the purpose of working in agriculture work (crop harvesting, nursery work, dairy production, dairy or vegetable or meat processing).

Identification - When the student registers, each student's parent or guardian should complete the Home Language Survey which includes the Migrant Education Program Occupational Survey.  If the survey indicates a "yes" response to question 1 or 4, the student could possibly be a migrant.  The determination will be made by state migrant personnel.

The purpose of Tennessee's Migrant Education Program is to assist the state in supporting high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migratory children to help reduce the educational disruptions and other problems that result from repeated moves.

The program aims at identifying and servicing children (between the ages of 3 and 21) who are, or whose parents or spouses are, migratory agricultural workers, including migratory dairy workers, or migratory fishermen, and who, in the preceding 36 months, traveled across division/state lines in order to obtain, or accompanied such parents or spouses, in order to obtain, temporary or seasonal employment in agricultural or fishing activity.

In providing services with migrant education funds, programs must give priority to migratory children who are failing or most at risk of failing, to meet Tennessee's challenging content standards and whose education has been interrupted during the regular school year.

The department distributes the sub-grants to local education agencies for recruiting/advocacy and outreach activities for the migratory children and their families. Professional development programs for teachers, family literacy, integration of information technology into educational and related programs, and facilitating the transition of secondary school students to post-secondary education or employment are some of the goals of this program.

For more information contact:
Lori Collins
212 N. Hicks Street
Clinton, TN 37716
865-457-0159

Email Ms. Collins