Velazquez, Loida C. Migrant Farmworkers' Perceptions of Schooling, Learning, and Education. , 1990. Print.




The HEP programs are specifically designed for migrant workers to be able to meet there special needs before we delve deeper into the program itself I feel a need to define what is a Migrant worker.
Typically most people I feel when the term migrant worker is used make the assumption " Illegal immigrant". When in fact the portion of migrant workers that are illegally in the united states is a very small percentage. The migratory workforce is composed of many ethnic backgrounds ranging from European Anglo, Black, Mexican-American, Asian, fillipino and people from Puerto Rico. Even tho these people have different cultures and backgrounds they share a bond or commonality if you will in there daily lives. The constant moving around and following there work has made it difficult on them to finish school. There frustration with our regular school systems is one of the reasons for there high drop out rate from high school.

" Migrant lifestyles revolve around working, moving on to find other work, and working again."(11.) As we can imagine that type of lifestyle would add a degree of difficulty to gaining an education. Thus the forming of programs like the HEP that is specifically geared towards migrant workers and the special needs they have came about.
Velasquez interviewed and studied several migrant workers in North Carolina and found there to be a common theme to why these people would drop out of school. The constant traveling and lack of an understanding of the American school system along with prejudice and unsympathetic teachers and faculty had a lot to do with there choosing to drop out of school. Most make an attempt at some point to return to school for higher learning but many did not gain there GED until programs like the HEP came along.
During this study Velasquez discovered several factors about migrant workers and there way of life, some key points of defining there culture. They have a strong sense of loyalty and honor within there families. They do not disrespect there elders and they have respect for authority.
I feel due to there values and "station in life" many of them do not make attempts to rise above or go against the grain if you will. Many have the belief that due to the difficulty of understanding the complex social system of America they don't stand a chance of ever elevating themselves to a better position in life. Therefore passed down through generations is a sort of this is who we are and what we do mentality. Programs Like the HEP that are specifically designed to meet there needs may be the only chance they have of breaking that cycle.