Across the United States, migrant education programs provide instructional support and community services for migrant students residing within a school district’s boundaries. These comprehensive services are structured to keep migrant students in school, improve their academic achievement, and increase their graduation rates.
The San Benito CISD Migrant Education Program (MEP) provides educational programs designed for migrant students, beginning with those as young as three years of age.
“A Bright Beginning” is the early childhood education program implemented locally for three-year-old migrant children. Offered free of charge to eligible migrant families, the program is designed to foster oral language and early literacy development.
This year, the local program is implemented at La Paloma Elementary and Landrum Elementary, and migrant children who are three years of age by September 1 are eligible for participation. The child’s family, however, must have migrant eligibility in order for the child to be considered for admission into the program.
Specifically developed for implementation in either a school classroom or at home, the A Bright Beginning curriculum incorporates developmental models for home-based education directly involving parents.
Currently, a total of 26 migrant children are receiving classroom instruction. Home-based instruction is available, and it consists of a series of activities designed to promote interaction between the caretaker and child.
Because migrant parents are provided the tools to successfully enhance their children’s growth and development at home, they are empowered to be their child’s first teacher.
“To ensure the instruction meets the latest requirements, the state continuously provides updated curriculum. Teachers attend yearly staff development to obtain said curriculum as well as strategies for the delivery of instruction,” explains Dr. Margarita Greer, Ph.D., the district’s Director of Federal Programs.
Erica Mercado, A Bright Beginning teacher at La Paloma Elementary, explains that the program is a high-quality, research-based resource aligned with the revised Texas Prekindergarten guidelines, a comprehensive framework on ways to deliver developmentally appropriate experiences for the learning needs of all children in order to help ensure an effective and efficient prekindergarten year.
“I have had the pleasure of teaching this awesome program for 7 years. Our students are little sponges at this age! I love my job,” she stresses.
By implementing the A Bright Beginning program, participating school districts place an emphasis on early education enhancement and performance opportunities for the youngest migrant students.
La Paloma Elementary Principal Libby Flores sums up the program perfectly, “Bright beginnings in the classroom, in our school, and in our district.”
Flores proudly adds, “That is definitely something to celebrate!”
In general, migrant education programs support comprehensive and high quality programs designed to help migrant students overcome difficulties typically associated with migratory lifestyles, including educational disruption, the challenges of mobility, cultural and language barriers, and social isolation.
Accordingly, migrant students are given the support and confidence to succeed in school and to effectively transition to postsecondary education or employment.
For more information on the Bright Beginnings enrollment process or general inquiries on additional migrant program initiatives, please contact the district’s MEP office at (956) 361-6136 or 361-6116.
Participating in a lesson on selecting and buying produce are young migrant students, shown left to right, Nicole del Angel Alonzo and Jocelynn Collazo. Nicole and Jocelynn are enrolled in the San Benito CISD’s “A Bright Beginning” program at La Paloma Elementary.
Jose Villalon is one of nine young migrant students participating in the San Benito CISD’s “A Bright Beginning” program at La Paloma Elementary. When asked to pick his favorites from a variety of fruits, he chose a grapefruit and an orange.
Young migrant students participating in the San Benito CISD’s “A Bright Beginning” program at La Paloma Elementary smile for the camera. Offered free of charge to eligible migrant families, the program places an emphasis on early education enhancement and performance opportunities for the youngest migrant students. Pictured are migrant students, sitting left to right, Ana Luisa Vega, Nicole del Angel Alonso, Jose Villalon; standing, Aldo Paz, Sebastian Prieto, Nicolas Rivera, Danica Coronado, Juan J. Garcia, Jocelynn Collazo; teacher Erica Mercado, far left, and teaching assistant Yadira Quiroga, far right.