Secondary
Education
Many migratory secondary students (middle school and high school students) struggle with the lifestyle issues that prevent them from feeling comfortable in a school setting, as well as developing confidence in their skills and knowledge base to achieve academic success in school. As a result, by the time struggling migratory students reach secondary school, many feel discouraged and lose interest in school or worse, they consider dropping out of school altogether.
It is imperative that all MEP staff help these students find a place of security and confidence by finding different and innovative options that can assist these students with the challenges they face. With the help of some mandates that have been established to support our migratory students as well as the creative programs designed by MEP staff in different districts, there are many options from which students may choose to complete coursework and accrue credits necessary for graduation.
MEP staff should strongly encourage migratory secondary students to stay in school and attempt some of these different options when available, especially the students who enter late or withdraw early from school and those considering dropping out of school.
Resources from the Texas Education Agency
Secondary Education Support
To support secondary migratory students, MEP staff should provide information, resources, and assistance to help keep them on track for graduation.
For Attendance
Accrual
90 Percent Rule for Attendance
Migratory students often enroll in a school district late and/or withdraw early, making it challenging to meet the “90 percent rule” for attendance. The TEA has advised districts that minimum attendance for credit begins on the day the student enrolls in the district. The TEA further states that “students, including migrant students or transfer students, who could not have attended a class before enrollment should not have the days of class that occurred before their enrollment counted against them for purposes of the ‘90 percent rule.’ ”
Migratory students often enroll in a school district late and/or withdraw early, making it challenging to meet the “90 percent rule” for attendance. The TEA has advised districts that minimum attendance for credit begins on the day the student enrolls in the district. The TEA further states that “students, including migrant students or transfer students, who could not have attended a class before enrollment should not have the days of class that occurred before their enrollment counted against them for purposes of the ‘90 percent rule.’ ”
This Letter to the Administrator provides the details about this rule.
Scroll down to Section II. Attendance for Course Credit.
Letter to the Administrator
Attendance August 2017
Secondary Credit Accrual
Under §25.092, a district may establish ways to make up work or regain credit or a final grade that are workable in consideration of the circumstances. The section does not require that students spend a certain amount of time in a “Saturday school” or other educational setting equal to time missed during regular school hours. The district should be prepared with other options that give the student a reasonable opportunity to make up work or regain credit or a final grade even under challenging circumstances, including excessive absences that occur late in the school year.
Note: Check with school district staff regarding secondary credit accrual options that exist for all students.
Earning Credits through Post-Secondary Institutions
The options a district offers to migratory students and other transfer students should provide opportunities to make up work and meet the level of attendance required under section §25.092. (See 90% Rule for Attendance tab).
Some of the following programs will incur a cost and may only be provided if no other options are available. Contact the district MEP or ESC MEP staff to determine whether MEP funds may be used to pay for these courses.
- University of Texas at Austin: Migrant Student Graduation Enhancement Program (MSGEP)
Migratory students can take online courses, print-based courses, and earn credits by exam. Districts will receive a discounted rate for each course a student takes through the MSGEP. - University of Texas at Austin: UT High School
School districts work as partners with UTHS programs to personalize student learning services. Local district policy must be reviewed to determine whether coursework provided through UTHS is approved for graduation. - Texas Tech University: TTU K-12
Students can take online courses to earn course credits toward high school graduation. Students may earn credits while traveling or while enrolled in high school and/or through credit by exam. - Courses offered through Distance Learning Remote Sites in collaboration with universities and/or other neighboring school districts. Contact ESC MEP staff for availability of distance learning opportunities and connectivity information.
Credit by Examination
Credit by exam (CBE) allows students to either accelerate a grade level or earn credit for a course based on a credit by examination. CBEs must be approved by each local board of trustees for their district and are administered by the district or test provider in accordance with local district policy.
Note: For more information and details, visit the TEA Credit by Examination webpage.
Texas Migrant Interstate Program (TMIP)
The mission of the TMIP is to help reduce the effects of educational disruption that Texas’ mobile, migratory students often face as they migrate intrastate and interstate to seek qualifying temporary or seasonal employment in the agriculture or fishing industry.
The TMIP’s staff assists migratory students, their families, school counselors, and intrastate/interstate MEP staff. The TMIP works with them to ensure that:
- a student’s critical information is shared securely
- students are placed in appropriate courses/grade levels
- secondary credit accrual needs are met for on-time graduation from high school
The TMIP coordinates with states receiving Texas’ migratory students to afford the student an equal opportunity to take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) as non-migratory students.
For more information, visit the TMIP website.
TMIP
Secondary Education Links
Texas Graduation Program Options
- Important information about graduation options are available in this Graduation Toolkit from the TEA.
Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN)
- A free, full-time virtual school program for eligible Texas public school students in grades 3-12.
- A free, statewide virtual school program for grades 3-12 that provides free learning materials and support from Texas-certified teachers.
TMEP Parents & Families: Secondary Education
- Provides information and resources to parents regarding their child’s education in the secondary grades.
