Migrant children experience special physical, mental, and emotional problems that can adversely affect academic success; and, because the school is frequently the only public agency directly in contact with migrant students and their families, it is in a unique position to alleviate those problems and to improve conditions. Migrant students need to experience acceptance and success. They need a good language foundation as the basis for reading and for all academic learning. They also need parent backing for attendance and achievement. Priorities for migrant education programs need to be (1) physical growth and development; (2) language development and reading; and (3) development of mathematics skills. This fastback discusses migrancy as a way of life; the plight of the illegal migrant, federal legislative directions, goals in migrant education, identification and recruitment of the migrant child, emotional growth and school success, and infant and early childhood education programs. Additionally it offers suggested teacher behaviors and classroom experiences that may be helpful in meeting the needs and developing the skills of migrant children, and lists readers and reading kits which have been used with good results in migrant classrooms. (CM)