IMEC's mission is to advocate for the highest quality education and other needed support for the nation's migratory children and youth

Advocacy, Legislation, Education...

Since 1983 the Interstate Migrant Education Council, (IMEC), has been advocating for policies that make positive impact upon the education of migrant children in our nation. IMEC has a two – pronged approach to making recommendations for the migrant education program.  The first focuses on the legislation, regulations, and non-regulatory guidance governing the program; the second is related to critical academic issues that IMEC identified and analyzes for improvement of migrant students' academic achievement.

Due to IMEC’s success, IMEC has received request from Congressional offices on issues related to migrant education including reauthorization of the Migrant Education Program (MEP).

The Interstate Migrant Education Council is the premiere organization representing and advocating on behalf of our nation’s migrant children so that they may have a better future.

Welcome to the Interstate Migrant Education Council (IMEC) website. For those of you who are accessing IMEC’s website for the first time we know you will find the resources and information useful. For those of you who have accessed our previous website I am sure you will find our new format user friendly and full of information that will assist as you navigate our new and revised website.

One of the pieces of information you will view provides you with an overview of IMEC so you know who we are and what we do. While we are still in the process of constructing additional new areas of interest such as Best Practices you will be able to review IMEC’s current recommendations for the reauthorization of the Migrant Education Program (MEP). Relevant reports under publications that address the academic needs of migrant students are available for you to review. In addition, links will be provided which can take you from our website to other MEP related websites. At IMEC, we see the importance of providing all available resources in order to improve our MEP services to migrant students and their families.

Our Events Calendar will keep you informed as to IMEC activities and other important activities at the national, state and local level. The best way for you to see what our website offers is to navigate your way through the various areas and to continue to check-in with us as we add new information so…WELCOME!

Pat Hayes, Chair
Francisco Garcia, IMEC Executive Director

A Note from the Chair

What's Next?

I've been a member of IMEC for a very long time.  In fact, I can hardly remember a time without IMEC in my life.  As the saying goes, “It’s been the best of times; it's been the worst of times."  Mostly, it’s been the best of times. We work hard at what we do, we care about our children and families, we struggle with difficult issues, and we come together to do the best we can under sometimes difficult situations. 

But, is it enough?

A few years ago, I heard a speaker at a migrant conference say "Education is a social contract we make with children that life will be better.”  Unfortunately, second and third generation migrant children don’t buy it. Our students need to have a future orientation.  They must be able to look forward to a better life, and more importantly, to know that education is the way to that better life. 

How does this thinking influence the way we do our work?  The world our children are facing is very different than the world we knew in our formative years and continues to change so rapidly that we can hardly keep up. We are fortunate in many ways.  It appears to me that we will become even more important in the national conversation as the years roll on.

I wish I could tell you that all our wishes and dreams will come true.  I am a half-full girl, but even I don't believe that story.  But what I do know is we have the heart and the will for this work. Thank you for your confidence in me.  I will do my best to always serve you and IMEC to the best of my ability. Last, but certainly not least, thanks to all of you for your tireless dedication to our children and their families. 

We must keep the faith and heart for the work we do.  If not us - then who?

Pat Hayes, Chair

2013-2014