High School Equivalency Program for Out-of-School Migrant Youth

Migrant labor is fundamental to the U.S. economy. However, migrant youth are often invisible and highly mobile.

This project was designed to address the needs of those out-of-school migrant youth residing in the New England area who want to earn a high-school equivalency. While New England states work hard to provide quality universal education for their residents, there is a significant inequity in access to education for farm-workers. Those furthest outside the educational structure are migrant farm-workers who are geographically isolated and have limited English proficiency. Access to educational services is nearly impossible without the support of an intermediary.

World Education was the main technical assistance provider to a consortium of four New England states (MA, ME, NH, and VT) led by EDCO Collaborative for a contract from the U.S. Office of Migrant Education that is providing technology-enhanced secondary level educational services for out-of-school youth migrant workers, ages 16-24.

The project aimed to close the gap to education access by supporting online blended learning opportunities via Internet-ready tablets with web access. The EdTech Center developed a mobile screening and assessment tool (via Magpi) administered via smart phones and tablets and three online mini-courses. These mini-courses support further education, training and employment, as migrant workers complete online study for their GED.

For example, Managing Your Money, is a six-module multimedia course designed and developed by World Education using Articulate 360. SCORM modules are available online or offline by downloading them onto smartphones and tablets using the Moodle Mobile app. An expert (avatar) leads participants through a problem encountered by a young man named Raphael, whose small landscape business faces financial difficulties. Along with course participants, Raphael learns how to create a basic budget. The audio is presently in English only, but with Spanish subtitling. Students are not passive listeners but are active participants through games and other interactive exercises. View a sample module.