June 23, 2008
Lyon College News Bureau

More than 40 migrant students finished up their work toward earning credits that will be transferred to their high schools last week at Lyon College.  

The Moving Up Arkansas Migrant Education Program advocates for migrant families, identifies and recruits all eligible students, and provides supplemental education programs, health and/or personal services to meet the unique needs of this growing population. 

Children of families who earn their living in agriculture-related jobs such as farm workers or those employed by companies such as Tyson or Con-Agra, are eligible to participate in the program.

Students arrived at Lyon on June 1 and completed their time in the program on June 21.

“I’ve already sent six students home to pick up their diplomas,” said Mary Collins, Moving Up Arkansas director. “We’ve got several more that are real close to getting their diplomas.”

Collins said most of the students are just a few credits away from graduating high school, but different circumstances have left them without diplomas.

“We really try to get them to have a positive attitude,” she said. “The whole point of the program is to get them on track to graduate. And that is what we have been able to do successfully.”

The Arkansas MEP provides textbooks, teachers and academic records exchange. The program’s mission is to ensure correct grade-age placement, transference of course credits and school enrollment opportunities.

Collins said high school graduation is emphasized as students participate in leadership, communication, and problem solving activities designed to increase personal success in school and life. All students participate in a career awareness workshop. Dropout prevention strategies also are incorporated throughout the program.

The curriculum is based on English, mathematics, science, health and history PASS courses.

Moving Up Arkansas began in 2000 with 33 migrant students attending a residential summer school session in Beebe for 21 days. All students received individual credit with a total of 57 academic courses (1/2 credits) being completed during the three weeks. Ten different schools were represented from the five Arkansas Migrant Cooperatives. Two students received their diploma after completing the required course work at the school and one student returned to school and graduated at mid-term.

The program began its run at Lyon College in 2003 with 40 migrant students attending the summer session. Four students received diplomas after completing the required course work at Moving Up Arkansas.

Last year, 41 students whose parents are from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru, Thailand and the United States participated in the program with five students completing their high school diploma coursework.

For more information about Moving Up Arkansas visit http://www.migrant.k12.ar.us/moving.htm.

Moving Up Arkansas instructor Bill Davis helps student Alex Llamas with a mathematics problem. More than 40 migrant students finished up their high school credits last week at Lyon College.