The children of migrant agricultural families are the most educationally disadvantaged group in the United States; they under-perform all other groups, have the highest dropout rate, have the lowest academic level, and have the highest number of school failures. The majority are Mexican American, Black, and Puerto Rican children whose families work in one of the three migrant "streams" from California, Texas, or Florida. Mobility patterns vary widely, and the migrant children who are able to take advantage of basic institutional social services are often excluded from mainstream educational programs. These children already suffer economic, social and cultural discrimination due to their high level of mobility and low socio-economic status; their cultural uniqueness is being challenged by agricultural pressures and the demands of a technological society. Day care centers, short-term summer programs and parental involvement have advanced migrant education, but the need for job training and basic survival skills is obvious. There has been widespread inadequacy in the administration of present local and federal programs, and a "cycle of illiteracy and poverty" is apparent. Comprehensive changes in traditional educational practices must be developed in order to alleviate their plight. (JD)