Policy in Practice: Migrant Program Leadership Across Boundaries of Compliance, Equity, and Institutional Visibility

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Policy Implementation and Governance in Educational Leadership

Abstract

Migrant Education Program (MEP) directors operate at the intersection of federal mandates and local educational needs. This mixed-methods study investigates how directors interpret and implement policy while navigating compliance requirements, institutional confusion, and resource limitations. Quantitative findings show directors prioritize addressing student needs and culturally responsive content over technical audit requirements. Qualitative data highlight persistent misunderstandings of the MEP within school systems and the leadership burden directors carry in advocating for visibility and cross-departmental coordination. Directors’ long-term experience and community ties position them as essential policy actors who mediate between federal expectations and on-the-ground equity efforts. The study contributes to policy enactment and educational leadership literature by illustrating how implementation decisions are shaped by context, discretion, and deep organizational knowledge.

Author

• Lavanya Jawaharlal, Claremont Graduate University