In 2023, Blue Star Families unveiled their 2022 Comprehensive Report highlighting the top challenges encountered by military-connected families. Amongst the key findings was the recurring issue of Educational Access and Quality, particularly during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). The report found that about two-thirds of military families (across all branches) were unaware of a key resource and its benefits in addressing academic concerns for military-connected K-12 students. How does this happen?
When orders are in hand and a PCS is on the horizon, parents begin researching their new duty station, relying heavily on the insights and advice from fellow service members and spouses to navigate housing, childcare, schools, and recreational opportunities in their upcoming location. However, many families may stop their research there, missing a Village of Support designed to support military-connected K-12 students during transitions.
Who is the Village of Support?
MIC3: Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) is home to the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The Interstate Compact assists families in navigating the common issues our military students face during military transitions such as enrollment, course placement, extra-curricular activity flexibility, and graduation requirements. MIC3 also provides caregivers a “Who Do I Ask for Support?” outlining the steps for any additional support needed for a family’s specific academic concerns.
School Liaison Program (SLP)
One vital program to navigate academic assistance across all branches of the military is the School Liaison Program (SLP). There are over 260 SLPs available to military-connected students serving U.S. installations worldwide. The School Liaison shepherds the relationships between local schools and military families. The School Liaison can provide valuable tools and resources to address the nuances of academic transitions for military-connected students PK-12 and is the first line of support for implementing the Interstate Compact.
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is rich in resources to support the whole child during a military transition with programs, such as SchoolQuest™, Purple Star Schools, Student 2 Student, Parent Webinars and a variety of Toolkits.
SchoolQuest™ serves as a free digital hub for all PK-12th grade student academic documentation, reducing the risk of losing tangible documentation required for enrollment amid a PCS. Aside from enrollment documentation, parents can track their student’s course progression beginning in 6th grade. This feature highlights the students’ academic progression for graduation requirements. For more information on how to create your child’s SchoolQuest™ account, visit MCEC’s demo video.
Purple Star School (PSS) recognizes schools that possess the necessary training, expertise, and resources to effectively assist and engage with military families throughout the student’s time at the school and during their transition and into the next academic phase. This program aims to ensure that military-connected students receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally, regardless of the challenges they may face due to frequent relocations and other unique circumstances.
Student 2 Student is a peer program partnering transitioning military students with a peer in the new school setting. Peers in this program receive training on MCEC’s 6 core values to foster and facilitate a welcoming environment for military children to build new peer relationships.
MCEC has a robust library of over 245 Parent Webinars that can be accessed through their website or on their YouTube Channel. MCEC’s webinars offer a variety of topics such as baby sign language, defining your student’s learning style, social-emotional development, time management for middle school and high school students, decisions about college, and many more!
MCEC also has Toolkits for parents to support and celebrate their military child, such as the Back To School Toolkit, The Military Child Well-being Toolkit, and the Month of the Military Child Toolkit.
With continued research and advocacy, programs supporting the military child’s academic progression continue to evolve. As awareness of current programs increases, the military community can serve as a vital advocate for programs that enhance the way military students receive the resources that support social-emotional and academic growth during each school transition.