Texas MEP Quarterly
Spring 2025
Texas Migrant Interstate Program Conference
MSI2C2: The Formula to Success!
February 26-27, 2025
*Virtual
National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education Conference (NASDME)
Bringing the Community Together
April 13-16, 2025
San Francisco, CA
Association for Compensatory Educators of Texas (ACET) Spring Conference
April 22-25, 2025
Houston, TX
Register Now! Best Practices Virtual Showcase
The next Best Practices Virtual Showcase is almost here! This free event will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18. All MEP staff are invited to attend to learn more about the tools and resources available through iSOSY. iSOSY is a Consortium Incentive Grant funded by the Office of Migrant Education at the United States Department of Education. iSOSY benefits migratory youth and out of school youth by helping them identify and achieve their academic and career goals with support from their online materials. Some of the resources iSOSY provides include:
Student Portal - A site for students to access pre-recorded lessons and access Google Classroom lessons
Professional Learning for MEP Staff
ID&R Support - Take a competency skills assessment, learn more about interstate collaboration, learn about mapping techniques, and much more
Pathways - Resources to help guide students toward completing high school and making college and career decisions
Personal Wellness - Lessons for service providers to support students’ mental health
Recordings of past Best Practice Virtual Showcases are available as well.
Register today!
IDRC
The Identification & Recruitment Consortium (IDRC) provides a wealth of resources tailored to support Migrant Education Program staff. Whether your team includes seasoned professionals or individuals new to the program, IDRC’s training offerings are designed to enhance recruitment efforts and strengthen program knowledge.
These resources address key areas of MEP work, including eligibility scenarios, recruitment strategies, cultural awareness, among others. Training materials are available in various formats, such as recorded webinars, quizzes, tools, and checklists, allowing staff to engage with content in ways that suit their learning styles and schedules.
All these resources—and more—are accessible anytime through the IDRC's Recruiter Resource Page. Be sure to explore the page and discover tools that can help your staff excel in their roles and better support migratory students and families.
iSOSY
MEP staff can access a valuable series of training resources through iSOSY, a consortium dedicated to supporting out-of-school youth, of which Texas is a member. Among its offerings is the Personal Wellness Training Package, a highly beneficial resource aimed at improving the overall well-being of migratory students and their families.
This training package includes nine modules that address key topics such as social-emotional learning, mental well-being, self-care, and other essential aspects of personal health. These lessons are thoughtfully designed to benefit students and their families. Educators and practitioners will appreciate the easy-to-follow structure, which includes a module guide, clear objectives, engaging presentations, and practical activities.
Best of all, these resources are available for free and can be accessed immediately, empowering MEP staff to better support the wellness of the migratory communities they serve.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Emergencies can strike without warning, and it’s essential to be ready. Unpredictable weather, natural disasters, social unrest, or unforeseen events like the COVID-19 pandemic can dramatically disrupt our lives. Encouraging families to take simple, proactive steps now can make all the difference when facing the unexpected.
Here are some practical tips to share with parents to help them prepare for emergencies:
Technology isn’t always reliable during emergencies, especially when power or internet access is unavailable. Families should create and keep a paper copy of essential information with each family member. This list should include:
Key contacts (family, friends, doctors, and emergency services)
Medical information (allergies, prescriptions, vaccination records)
Important documents (VIN numbers for vehicles, land or home titles, and insurance details)
Having a well-stocked emergency kit can save time and reduce stress when an urgent situation arises. Recommend packing the following in an easy-to-carry duffel bag or backpack:
Bottled water (one gallon per person per day, if possible)
Non-perishable snacks like granola bars or canned food
Necessary medications and vitamins
Flashlights and extra batteries
Blankets or sleeping bags
Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, etc.)
Extra clothing, including sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate items
Copies of critical documents in a waterproof folder
Encourage families to stay updated on weather alerts and emergency broadcasts through radio, TV, or mobile apps. Learning about local shelters, evacuation routes, and community resources ahead of time can also be invaluable.
Families should create a plan that includes:
Meeting points in case members are separated
A communication strategy (e.g., using a relative or friend outside the area as a contact point)
Familiarity with basic first aid and emergency response steps
Being prepared not only ensures safety but also provides peace of mind during uncertain times. By taking these steps now, families can face the unexpected with confidence and resilience.
Test Preparation Resources
The school year is going by so fast that before you know it, STAAR tests will be administered to students. To prepare, there are free resources available to use not just with your students, but also to share with your parents. Here are some great suggestions:
We encourage you to visit the Education Resources for Parents of K-12 Migratory Children portal at txmigrantk12.net to support your student’s academic needs. This portal contains:
Mini-lessons,
Tip sheets,
Short videos,
Games and apps,
And interactive course modules
The portal supports students in grades K-12 in reading and writing as well as math for grades K-5, and also provides information and links to resources for out-of-school youth. All resources on this portal are available free of charge and can be downloaded or printed right at home. Creating an account is quick, simple, and allows immediate access to the resources.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is another free resource that allows students to learn at their own pace. Students can use the site’s exercises, quizzes, and instructional videos to learn and master skills. They will get immediate feedback and encouragement. Educators and parents can track their student’s progress and assign specific lessons to them. Most of the lessons that are available are also translated into Spanish and some lessons follow the Texas TEKS standards.
