Comprehensive Needs Assessment

CNA Final Report
Word Icon Final Report June 8, 2010
State Migrant Service Delivery Plan
PDF Icon Final Report March 23, 2011
PDF Icon Final Report October 14, 2010 (Español)
Word Icon CHART for planning the SDP
Word Icon CHART for planning the SDP - Spanish
LEA Comprehensive Needs Assessment Toolkit
Word Icon CNA Toolkit
Word Icon Toolkit Appendix
Why Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment?

Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) is a process that will help each state identify the needs of migrant students and their families. In order to be truly comprehensive the CNA process will look beyond simply reporting the numbers of students proficient by subject, or a single survey, to include a variety of data that will help ascertain what migrant children need in order to have a successful educational experience. The information, including facts (outcome, demographic, and program data) and opinions (perception data), derived from the CNA will guide programming and policy decisions. The process is participatory and ensures statewide involvement in its solutions. Since populations that seem quite similar demographically often perceive their needs as being very different from each other, this process will ensure that unique needs are identified.

Benefits of Conducting a Comprehensive Needs Assessment
  • The process will encourage a thorough review of the entire statewide Migrant Education Program.
  • The process engages Migrant Education Program (MEP) staff, parents and community members and creates readiness for change by establishing this broad-based involvement to shape the program.
  • Developing critical areas of focus for the program ensures that programming efforts are directed at the most needed and most effective services for migrant students.
  • A needs assessment completed within the particular conditions and settings of a specific state, leads to actions responsive to the groups within the state.
  • The CNA process will provide a rational decision-making process for determining how funds are allocated. (The CNA will identify the areas of critical need, both for "priority" students and within goal areas, making it easier to sub-allocate funds properly.)

The CNA is a decision-making tool for state migrant policy and district programs. It benefits not only SEA administrators, but also district staff who will be able to target services more closely to the needs of migrant clients. Most importantly, it directly benefits migrant students and their families. Its focus is that of policy and programs, not individual diagnosis; however, a well-conducted CNA can lead to solutions that will directly benefit individual needs.

Legal Requirements

No Child Left Behind (NCLB): The statute that authorizes Migrant Education requires that a Comprehensive Needs Assessment be conducted. Legislation in NCLB requires that States describe:

  • a comprehensive plan for needs assessment and service delivery that identifies the special educational [unique] needs of migrant children;
  • how the State's priorities for the use of funds relate to the State's needs assessment; and
  • how the State will award subgrants to reflect the results of the comprehensive needs assessment.

Title I, Part C, sec 1304 & 1306: Program regulations (sec. 200.83) and policy guidance issued by the Office of Migrant Education (OME) state that a needs assessment:

  • must be current;
  • must identify the "special educational needs" of migratory children, which include the unique educational needs that must be met in order for migratory children to participate effectively in school and other needs that must be met in order for migratory children to participate in school;
  • use the best information available;
  • guide the development of each State's Migrant Education Plan (MEP) service delivery plan to meet the identified needs of migrant children;
  • establish statewide priorities for local procedures; and
  • provide the basis for the allocation of funds.