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Contact:
Felicia Torres, migrant recruiter, (913) 627-4374

KCKPS Working to Identify Migrant Children

They range in age from preschool through age 21, but their educational histories are sometimes uncertain. Some may have had no exposure to a formal education, and others need academic assistance to fill in the gaps.

Migrant children travel from place to place across the United States with their families, in search of work. They cannot be identified by race, ethnicity, citizenship or economic status. Furthermore, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the families' privacy rights to any information disclosed to establish eligibility for the program.

Since 1967, the Kansas Migrant Education Program has been working to ensure that migrant children fully benefit from the same free public education provided to other children. This year, the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) has stepped up its efforts to identify these children and provide services to them through a local recruiter.

There are many risk factors that affect migrant students, but they commonly face additional challenges including social isolation, cultural and language difficulties and disruption of education.

"Our goal is to make sure that these kids are not missing out on fundamental concepts needed to understand the core classroom curriculum," said Felicia Torres, migrant recruiter for KCKPS. "We are working for the good of these children and their educational futures."

A child may qualify to receive migrant services if:

• The child ranges in age from 3 to 21 and has not yet graduated from school or obtained a GED
• The child has moved into the school district within the past three years
• The parent or guardian or any other member in the household has been or is currently seeking or employed as a seasonal or temporary worker within the following types of work:
  • Planting, cultivating, or harvesting seasonal crops
  • Packing, processing, or transporting food products
  • Livestock or ranching
  • Nursery or grain elevator work

Last year, KCKPS served approximately 69 migrant students. Many of these children were identified through staff and community referrals. Once a child is identified as migrant through the process of an interview, KCKPS staff members meet with the child's parents/guardian to provide them with information about educational services. The parent/guardian is also informed of services available to them within the community, including educational programs to learn English, workshops that help parents engage in supporting their child's emotional and social well-being, and assistance with future educational planning.

To learn more about the Migrant Education Program or to make a referral, contact Felicia Torres at (913) 627-4374.