Title I Part C
Trainings
Staff members funded by Title I, Part C in Project Districts and SSA Member Districts are highly encouraged to attend trainings offered to effectively meet all requirements of an MEP.
Note: The SSA participants encouraged to attend each training will vary, depending upon the responsibilities outlined in the SSA regional contract.
Recommended trainings include
Identification & Recruitment Training
Recruiters must complete the ID&R course annually before they are allowed to identify and recruit any new families in the new academic year or contact existing migratory families to determine whether a new qualifying move has occurred, at which a new COE is completed.
The most recent Texas Manual for the Identification and Recruitment of Migratory Children is used and distributed at this training.
TX-NGS Training (including MSIX)
Data entry specialists must receive this training annually to ensure all migratory student data is entered and maintained properly according to the updated Texas Data Management Requirements Manual for TX-NGS/MSIX.
Needs Assessment
The Local Needs Assessment (LNA) process is thoroughly explained to MEP administrators and staff, including any changes required by the TEA. All necessary LNA forms are also presented in this training.
Service Delivery Plan
Service Delivery Plan (SDP) step-by-step explanations and forms are presented to MEP staff in this training using the most recent information provided by the TEA.
Program Evaluation
The Texas MEP Program Evaluation Process is clearly explained to MEP staff in this training using the most recent tools and forms provided by the TEA.
Training and Support from your ESC
ESC MEP Staff will notify LEAs of any upcoming TEA virtual training sessions. 
In addition to participating in required annual training, MEP district staff are also encouraged to seek out other opportunities for professional growth. District staff should consult with MEP coordinators to identify applicable training opportunities offered through their ESC.
ESC MEP Staff may provide training via in-person, virtual, or recorded sessions.
ESCs should provide annual training and/or ongoing technical assistance in the following areas:
If offered in your region:
Additional Training and Support as determined by the needs of each LEA
ESCs should provide training to ensure that MEP staff:
- Understand the definition of OSY and how they qualify for the MEP
- Know where and how to identify OSY since they will not be able to rely on usual school recruitment efforts
- Identify the needs of OSY and include services to address those needs
- Coordinate resources and make referrals for OSY
- Provide options for re-engaging OSY into school
Learn More About OSY
ESC MEP staff may provide training and support to new administrators overseeing or implementing a MEP in their LEA. This training will help program administrators with the most recent guidelines and procedures for the identification and recruitment of migrant students established by the TEA.
As there are multiple topics for successful MEP implementation, this training is only meant to be an overview of each. It is not meant to replace any of the required full trainings in which Independent Project District MEP staff must participate. However, this training lays out a beginning foundation for a new MEP director to build upon with subsequent in-depth trainings.
Topics covered could include:
| Administrator responsibilities | ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application | How to effectively coordinate use of Title I, Part A and C funds to serve migratory students |
| Recruiter responsibilities | LNA | PFS Action Plan |
| Migratory child eligibility | SDP | ID&R Action Plan |
| Allowable use of MEP funds | Compliance reporting | MEP evaluation |
When relating to the Title I, Part C Program, the ESSA Program-Specific and ESSA Provisions and Assurances stipulate that the school system must assure that “After timely and meaningful consultation with appropriate private school officials, the LEA will provide to those children identified as eligible and their teachers or other educational personnel, on an equitable basis, special educational services or other benefits that address their needs under Title I, Part C, an [Section 8501(a)(1)].”
ESCs should offer training for independent project district staff regarding the meaningful consultation that must occur with private nonprofit school officials, prior to the independent project district’s submission of their application.
This training can be done in collaboration with other programs under the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application such as Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D; Title III, Part A; Title IV, Part A, since all programs require documentation of efforts to include private nonprofit schools within their district boundaries in their decision making on federal funds. Contact the lead ESC Federal Programs staff member for information on this collaborative training/meeting.
More Professional Growth Opportunities
Links to annual state and national conferences for MEP Staff
Additional Info for SSAs and ESCs
SSA Member Districts and Fiscal Agents
Possible Additional Training Opportunities from ESCs for SSA Member Districts
In addition to the required annual training and assistance provided to ALL project districts, ESCs should consider providing additional training throughout the program year for SSA Member Districts to cover the following:
- Responsibilities of the ESC and the SSA Member Districts within the SSA
- Processes and procedures of the SSA
- Creating the SSA MEP District Improvement Plan (DIP)–collaborating in the creation of the PFS Action Plan, ID&R Action Plan, and Service Delivery Plan
- Implementing the Local Needs Assessment (LNA)–What responsibilities do the SSA Member Districts have?
- Conducting the Program Evaluation
These sessions build capacity of all SSA stakeholders and ensure a cohesive partnership between the SSA Member Districts and the ESCs as they support migratory students within the SSA.
ESC Responsibilities
ESSA Consolidated PS 3103
In addition to ensuring all aspects of the application are completed, implemented, and documented, ESCs must train and provide support throughout the year on the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application.
These responsibilities include
- Ensuring that all LEA activities selected on the application link to the LNA and the SDP. Throughout the year, these needs may change and the application may require amendment.
- Reviewing and discussing the requirements and guidance found in the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application, the MEP Program Guide, the Program-Specific Provisions and Assurances and the Program Guidelines.
- Stress the importance of consistently referencing these documents throughout the fiscal year.
ESC Documentation Responsibilities
Since required documentation for the ESSA Federal Consolidated Compliance Report may be maintained in a variety of formats, it is incumbent on ESCs to provide clear and concise training to appropriate District staff members on how to complete the Compliance Report and, more importantly how to maintain adequate documentation. If the district is an SSA member, the ESC should clearly outline and share the responsibilities and tasks expected of the district as well as the responsibilities and tasks that the fiscal agent will complete.
It is important to stress in this training that documentation, which is a requirement, not a suggestion, should be maintained in a form that is easily accessible and available in an electronic or hardcopy format. Regardless of the format, the documentation reflects implementation of program requirements.
Appropriate Use of Funds
Independent Project District
Given the fact that all Independent Project Districts will be required to adhere to the fiscal guidelines outlined by the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application Guidelines in terms of financial responsibilities, the ESCs must share this important information during the ESC training to all Independent Project Districts.
*NOTE: It is highly encouraged that an LEA Business Office staff member and Federal Program Director also attend this training along with MEP staff.
SSA Member Districts
As a fiscal agent for the SSA, the ESC is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to the financial responsibilities outlined by the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application Guidelines. To build understanding and collaboration between the ESC and the SSA Member District, the ESCs should share this important information with the SSA Member District, including the SSA Member District’s Migrant Contact, Business Office Manager, and Federal Programs Director. This ensures all program stakeholders understand the fiscal and programmatic expectations for the SSA.
