HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s investment in migrant education is helping thousands of students overcome disrupted schooling, with nearly 92 percent of participating seniors graduating during the 2024–25 school year.
What This Means for You
- Migrant students receive tutoring, summer programs, and in-home support
- Graduation rates among participants reached nearly 92 percent
- State funding helps students stay on track despite frequent moves
The Pennsylvania Department of Education said the state has invested $3 million over the past three years in the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program, which supports children of agricultural workers whose schooling is often interrupted by frequent relocation.
The program provides services such as after-school tutoring, summer learning opportunities, and in-home academic support.
How The Program Works
The Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program helps school districts coordinate services for students whose education has been disrupted due to their families’ mobility tied to agricultural work.
The goal is to ensure these students meet the same academic standards as their peers and graduate prepared for college, employment, or further training.
“Students whose lives are shaped by mobility, transition, and circumstances they did not choose” are supported through the program, Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe said.
Student Outcomes
During the 2024–25 school year, the program served nearly 7,000 children and youth, many of whom spoke Spanish as their primary language.
Among 12th-grade participants, nearly 92 percent graduated, and more than 60 percent of graduates planned to attend college.
Since its inception, the program has served more than 350,000 students from birth through age 22.
Legal And Policy Context
Federal law guarantees access to public education regardless of immigration status, a principle established in the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe.
State officials said the program is designed to ensure migrant students can access a stable and supportive learning environment despite frequent disruptions.
Broader Education Investment
Officials said the migrant education funding is part of a broader increase in education spending under Governor Josh Shapiro.
Over the past three years, the state has increased public education funding by nearly $3 billion, including additional support for K-12 schools, special education, career and technical education, and higher education.
Pennsylvania is the only state that supplements federal migrant education funding with dedicated state funding.
Economic Context
The program also supports families tied to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, which contributes $132.5 billion annually to the state economy and supports more than 600,000 jobs.
Officials said continued investment in education programs tied to the agricultural workforce helps sustain both student outcomes and the broader economy.
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