Economic pressures along with health, nutrition, housing, sanitation, and child labor problems contribute in large measure to the plight of the migrant population. The incomplete and fragmented education migrant children receive is further compounded by low expectations from teachers and inappropriate curriculums. Legislative action has attempted to address the special needs of migrants through numerous health assistance, housing, nutrition, job opportunity, and educational acts. The Migrant Student Record Transfer System was instituted to gather, store, and transmit student academic and health information. Although the national migrant program is working to provide solutions to migrant problems, findings from a review of the literature, research and state evaluations indicate areas for improvement. Some recommendations are that (1) the Migrant Students Record Transfer System Data Bank should be more timely and should also be used for gathering; (2) long range plans for the national migrant program should be developed; and (3) duplication should be eliminated in agency services to maximize the use of resources. This report reviews relevant literature and research pertaining to the migrant population, reports on legislative actions, and makes recommendations for consideration in decision making and policy development. (DS)