Arizona's migrant farmworker population was examined to determine the recent changes in its demographic characteristics, and changes in worker characteristics that could be anticipated by 1980 and their implications for educative and supportive services to migrant children between 1977 and 1980. Information was also obtained on migrant student enrollment patterns; farmworker mobility; the impact of agricultural technology on migrant farmworkers; the political and environmental factors which have an impact on migrants; public programs affecting migrant families; the difficulties encountered by the programs in implementing their plans; general difficulties encountered in the areas of health, housing, legal and economic security, employment, and training; suggested legislation that may help eliminate some of the difficulties; and the relationship between societal conditions and the identified needs of migrant students in 1980. Data analyses included a content analysis of voluminous materials on the programs affecting migrant families; and a Delphi exercise on societal conditions in 1980 involving 9 expert consultants in 3 interactive rounds. Findings included: migrants suffered particularly from lack of communication skills; there was a lack of a career ladder within agriculture for migrants; children were remaining in school for significantly longer periods; and larger families were more likely to remain active in migrant agriculture. (NQ)