Why Give Special Help to Migrant Children?
Most school programs, including those supported by Title I, are set up on a nine-month academic calendar. However, when migrant children move with their families, their education - as well as their lives - is disrupted, often many times a year. Migrant children may come from large families with inadequate living space and low incomes. Poor nutrition, housing and sanitary conditions may cause a high incidence of health problems. Migrant children may have limited English skills and/or little experience with success at school.
These problems, combined with irregular school attendance, often lead to overall frustration and low academic performance, causing many migrant children to drop out of school in their teens. Because they are poorly prepared for and have little knowledge of other kinds of work, migrant young people usually face a high risk of unemployment or become part of the migrant labor force.
However, these children can be helped to enjoy school and overcome their difficulties. Through the Migrant Education Program, they can achieve an education and develop self-confidence and self-esteem.
