Children of migrant agriculture workers who have moved to Altus within the previous three years may enroll in the federally-funded Migrant Education program, where bilingual staff members help them transition or make up skills lost in repeated moves.

Upon entering school, students are identified by migrant recruiters, and parents are interviewed for input about student needs. An individual academic plan is established, where the staff collects information to monitor student needs. During the year the staff provides academic support with tutorial assistance at school, after school, or during the summer session. Children under the age of four are referred for services through Head Start, Sooner Start, or other agencies. Parents are referred to adult education services and encouraged to participate in the education of their children through parent involvement meetings, informational sessions, and conferences.

A Parent And Teacher Resource Information Center (PATRIC) is available at Eugene Field Center, 314 South Forrest Street, so that parents can check materials out for use in the home with their children. Community groups such as the Altus Rotary Club and Jackson County Memorial Hospital provide support to promote literacy.

Collaborative work between the classroom teachers, the Migrant staff, and parents enables students to receive academic, social, and emotional support to overcome the interruption in education and experience success in school.

For further information call 580-481-2691, or visit Eugene Field Center, 314 South Forrest, Altus, OK 73521.