Parent & Family
Engagement
Gaps in educational opportunity and achievement are closed when those closest to the affected students—parents, families, and communities—are involved in decision-making. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) defines parent and family engagement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, ensuring:
- Parents and families play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning.
- Parents and families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school.
- Parents and families are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child.
- Other activities are carried out that will build the capacity of all parents and families.
Parent engagement is more than parent involvement, which focuses on the number of parents attending meetings and volunteering. Parent engagement builds capability with parents thus providing them opportunities to function as advocates and take part in decision-making processes for the program. Parental engagement provides the parent with encouragement, tools, resources and opportunities to become fully involved in their child’s education, thus guaranteeing educational support in the home. In building these respectful partnerships and collaborating with parents, the MEP can improve the academic performance of migratory children.
For PFE efforts, Title I Part C funds may be used to ensure that all programs and projects:
ESSA 1116
Accessibility
Professional Development
Family Literacy
Advocacy & Outreach
What are the requirements for MEP Parent and Family Engagement?
Education (OME)
Program Guidelines
Provisions & Assurances
Guidance from the Office of Migrant Education (OME)
The OME provides several resources that offer guidance and stress the importance of parent and family engagement.
MEP Common Areas of Concern
In the MEP Common Areas of Concern, the importance of family engagement on the success of the migratory student is recognized as stated in topic #5 Educational Support in the Home. It states: While migratory parents value education for their children, they may not always know how to support their children in a manner consistent with school expectations nor have the means to offer an educationally rich home environment. Efforts to inform families in a manner that fits cultural and economic circumstances are crucial.
Non-Regulatory Guidance on Title I, Part C
The OME has provided Non-Regulatory Guidance on Title I, Part C: Education of Migratory Children. In this document, Chapter VII provides MEPs with guidance on the inclusion, operation, expenditures, and many more details specific to parent involvement.
ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application Program Guidelines
The ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Program Guidelines state that to ensure parental participation in the MEP, the MEP-funded LEA will establish an LEA-wide Migratory Parent Advisory Council PAC which will be elected by the parents of eligible migratory students, nominated, by volunteering, and which will be composed of a majority of such parents.
PAC meetings must be conducted in a format and language that is understandable to migratory parents.
To ensure full parent participation, PAC meetings should be held at times convenient for the migratory parents and transportation and childcare should be offered.
ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application Program-Specific Provisions and Assurances
In addition to the Program Guidelines, the Program-Specific Provisions and Assurances also includes assurances relating to the MEP PAC and Parental Involvement. When an LEA accepts MEP funding, they assure that they will:
- Establish a PAC to ensure parental participation in the MEP.
- Have meaningful consultation with parents of migratory students in the planning and operation of the local MEP.
- Plan and implement the LEA’s MEP with the same parental involvement as required for programs and projects under Section 1116.
- Conduct PAC meetings in a format and language that is understandable to migratory parents. To ensure full parent participation, PAC meetings should be held at times convenient for the migratory parents and transportation and childcare should be offered.
How do School systems and ESCs engage parents and families?
What is a PAC?
What is a PAC?
LEAs with a MEP must establish a PAC and consult with it in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the MEP. A PAC is comprised of a majority of migratory parents and/or guardians who are empowered to be advocates and supporters of the MEP because they have a personal stake in the program’s success. Other members of the PAC may include MEP staff, representatives from community agencies that support migratory parents (stakeholders), and school district staff.
Contact your ESC MEP staff for information on PAC training available in your region.
Role of the PAC
Role of the PAC
The goals of a PAC are for the members to take part in the decision-making process and have the opportunity to function as advocates.
The PAC supports the MEP in three main areas:
Planning
- Help identify goals and steps involved in meeting goals.
- Discuss use of MEP funds and other resources.
- Discuss timelines, logistics, and strategies.
Operation
- Help establish, implement, or support programs.
- Support ongoing efforts.
- Help conduct parent events and activities.
Evaluation
- Help evaluate the program.
- Provide suggestions to improve the program.
- Identify barriers and best practices.
About PAC Meetings
About PAC Meetings
PAC Meetings should:
- Have an agenda written in a language understood by parents.
- Be convenient at a time and location for parents to attend.
- Contain a quorum of members when held.
- Follow PAC bylaws established.
- Be conducted in a language understood by parents.
- Have elected officers run the meetings.
- Follow Basic Parliamentary Procedures and Robert’s Rules of Order.
- Keep meeting minutes to document meaningful consultation.
- Build capacity of parents as advocates and stakeholders. List of suggested programmatic and academic performance topics.
- Educate and update parents on any changes to the MEP implementation for the current year.
- Discuss the parent’s role in supporting the MEP.
- Provide an opportunity for parents to give feedback on future topics/trainings to address.
*Some best practice examples for PAC meetings are shared below.
Suggested Timeline for
District PAC Meetings
Submitted by Brownsville ISD
Suggested Format for
Monthly PAC Meetings
Submitted by La Joya ISD
PAC Meeting Documentation
PAC Meeting Documentation
Documentation should consist of:
- Invitations in a language understood by parents.
- Agenda in a language understood by parents; meaningful consultation should be evident.
- Sign-in sheets (Include the TX-NGS number of one of the children next to the parent’s name to document migrant eligibility.)
- Minutes in a language understood by parents; meaningful consultation should be evident.
- Checklist of PAC meeting requirement.
- If PAC meetings are held with another district meeting, be sure to conduct the Migrant PAC meeting at a separate time (i.e. before or after the other district meeting), create a separate agenda, have a separate sign in sheet, and keep separate minutes to document that only Migrant PAC members were involved in the meeting.
- Some examples of meeting documentation are shared below.
PAC Training Resources
PAC Training Slides
Activities for PAC Members
Documents
- Key District Personnel (English / Spanish)
- Suggested List of PAC topics
- Parent Right to Know ESSA (English / Spanish)
- Who is Who for Parents
- PAC Implementation Checklist
Meeting Format
Parent Information Sessions
Parent Information Sessions
Each district will need to determine the number of parent information sessions to offer on the topic of Transferring to or From a School District. Districts that frequently have migratory families moving in or out during the school year may want to offer this session monthly. Districts that have families moving in or out only during the summer months may choose to offer the session in late spring each year.
A successful parent information session…
- Is well-advertised and communicated in a language understood by the parents
- Provides information that is important to parents
- Makes parents feel welcome and valued
Host a Parent Information Session in 5 Steps
If you would like more info and ideas for hosting parent sessions and events, view this training video on the TMEP portal.
Welcome Packet
Welcome Packets
As migratory families move into a school district, one way to help welcome them is to have a packet of helpful information about the school district and the MEP ready to distribute.
MEP staff should work closely with the district staff and community support services to ensure the information provided in the welcome packet is kept current. MEP staff should determine the process that will work best for their program to ensure these documents are provided to all parents of migratory children as soon as possible. These documents may be provided to parents by any MEP staff member who has access to the welcome packet.
What kind of information should be included in the welcome packet?
Collaboration & Referrals
Collaboration & Referrals
MEP staff may assist migratory students and parents by collaborating with other departments, programs, and services within their own school district. This can be done by having the MEP district director and/or staff collaborate with appropriate administrative staff to assess and coordinate services for each migratory student.
By having these coordinated discussions on the academic, social, and/or emotional needs of students and how they can successfully progress in each area, they are ensuring that the student feels that he/she has a support group at school as well as at home.
After the student is assessed, it is important for the MEP staff to meet with the student and parents to share the information gathered.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) ISD conducts a similar collaboration meeting between MEP staff, campus principals, counselors, and district program coordinators every year to help migratory families.
Another way MEP staff can help to facilitate the process of making referrals to other departments, programs, and services within the district on behalf of a migratory student at any level is by providing a letter which explains how a parent can collaborate with school staff to access resources their child may need within the school system.
A Sample Letter for Middle School found in the Texas Manual for the Identification and Recruitment of Migratory Children is a great example of this kind of resource. This letter also includes a form with contact information easily accessible to parents in English and Spanish.
Service Coordination Events
Service Coordination Events
The MEP may coordinate with other departments within their district to host a community service fair, inviting local clubs, agencies, businesses, and colleges/universities. This centralized event would provide parents information about services offered by each program. MEP staff may promote parent participation in local community fairs coordinated by other entities, such as the Chamber of Commerce, health agencies, medical/dental/vision practices, churches, or institutions of higher education.
Many districts in our state conduct events specifically for their parents of migratory students to provide service coordination information. Two examples of this type of event are:
- Host a service coordination event. Invite district departments, community organizations, local businesses, and higher education institutions to share information with your migratory families early in the school year.
- Donna ISD offers a social services fair to introduce migratory parents and students to different agencies and services in the community.
For more information about service coordination events and opportunities, visit the AIIMS topic page for Migrant Service Coordination.
TMEP Parents & Families Section
TMEP Parents & Families Section
In this section of the TMEP portal, you will find informational videos, checklists, tips, and answers to many commonly asked questions about the Title I, Part C (MEP) Program. Every page in this section of the portal is available in English and Spanish and is designed to provide guidance and support to migratory parents and families as they navigate the potential challenges to ensure the best possible outcomes for their children.
Education Resources for Parents of K-12 Migratory Children
Education Resources for Parents of K-12 Migratory Children
This portal has been created to provide parents and families access to educational resources that will support the unmet educational needs of their migratory children in grades K-12, including OSY. The goal is for this site to become a valuable resource that supports parents in preparing their child for a lifetime love of reading, writing, and math. The mini-lessons, tip sheets with accompanying video vignettes, web-based apps and games, and online modules offer engaging activities to help parents support their child at home.
Additional resources are added each year to this portal. Materials are currently available to support:
- K-2 Reading, Writing, and Math
- Grade 3-5 Reading, Writing, and Math
- Grade 6-8 Reading, Writing, and Math will be added by Fall 2025.
- Grade 9-12 English I and English II EOC
TMEP PFE for MEP Staff
TMEP PFE for MEP Staff
In this section of the TMEP portal, you will find training videos, staff resources, parent resources, and links to additional PFE support sites designed for use by all MEP staff.
A Bright Beginning Early Literacy
A Bright Beginning Early Literacy
This program is specifically for migratory children ages 3-5 not enrolled in Pre-K or Kindergarten, and provides age-appropriate early literacy lessons.
A trained ABB educator offers a one-hour weekly lesson to a migratory child either individually in the home (Home-based Program) or in a group setting at a center designated by the district (Center-based Program). Lessons may be offered during the summer months as well as during the school year.
The ABB program also offers unique opportunities for parent and family engagement outside of the regular migrant parent meetings.
Additional Info for SSAs and ESCs
SSA Member Districts and Fiscal Agents
Parent and Family Engagement for SSA Member Districts
The SSA Member District is required to have a PAC involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the SSA MEP. The members and attendees should include stakeholders representing a compilation of all SSA Member Districts. The majority of members should be migratory parents
Meetings:
- Should be conducted in a language(s) understood by all attendees.
- Must be held throughout the year, virtually or face-to-face, at a time and location that is convenient for migratory parents. Either of the following methods is acceptable:
- SSAs may hold PAC meetings at a central location, such as the regional ESC, that is accessible to all SSA Member Districts on a single date.
- SSAs may conduct cluster PAC meetings in multiple locations in various SSA Member Districts on several dates.
What is important is that the PAC should represent all SSA Member Districts, and SSA migratory parents are afforded the opportunity to engage. SSAs should work collaboratively to notify migratory parents and assist in engaging their participation.
ESC Responsibilities
PAC Training
ESCs are obligated to train all Independent Project Districts regarding the local PAC to ensure that meaningful consultation with migratory parents is incorporated into the planning, operation, and evaluation of the local MEP.
The training should include:
- Organization of a PAC
- Election of officers
- Meeting order and activities
- What meaningful consultation looks like
- Notifying parents of PAC meetings
- Documentation to retain that demonstrates specific requirements of PAC meetings.
The MEP Capacity Building and Curriculum Initiative offers annual PAC TOTs for new ESC MEP staff on how to train and on what topics to address. Resources can be found in the ESC MEP Staff Only section of the TMEP portal.
