The purpose of the MEP in Georgia (and the United States) is to ensure that migrant children fully benefit from the same free public education provided to all children and that the unmet education-related needs resulting from their migrant lifestyle are met.

A child is a “migratory child” if the following conditions are met:

1. The child is not older than 21 years of age; and
2. The child is entitled to free public education (through grade 12) under State law or the child is not yet at a grade level at which the LEA provides free public education, and
3. The child made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months as a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher, or did so with, or to join a parent/guardian or spouse who is a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher; and
4. The child moved due to economic necessity from one residence to another residence, and from one school district to another.