Mr. Speaker. I support the enactment of H.R. 2683. continuing the Migrant Student Record Transfer System [MSRTS] until we have completed the reauthorization process for our Nations elementary and secondary education programs. Migrant children are among our Nations neediest population. with approximately 50 percent of migrant students dropping out before graduation. Before the existence of MSRTS and the Migrant Education Program. migrant students were often ignored. inappropriately placed below their grade level. and denied access to school because of the absence of health records. Although I have grave reservations about the ability of the Migrant Student Record Transfer System [MSRTS] to provide for the timely transfer of student records. I am opposed to the elimination of the current system until we have in place another mechanism for insuring the timely transfer of student records. Since the Department of Education. at our request. did not recompete the current MSRTS contract because it was so close to reauthorization of the chapter 1 Migrant Education Program. the current contract will expire in 6 months if we do not enact this legislation. H.R. 2683 would continue the current program through June 30. 1995 at which time I would hope we would have in place a new. less costly. and more effective. method of transferring records. In addition. the legislation does not allow for major modifications in the current system as we feel we should not be allowing the use of additional funds for changes in a system which may not be continued.
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migrant Migrant