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Education Policy Implementation Enhancements

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Key Message

When military parents lack transparent access to existing state policies intended to support their children, they’re left to navigate complex systems on their own during critical transition periods. States have a valuable opportunity to further support military families by clarifying requirements in policy and statute, enhancing communication efforts and streamlining access to information on state and local education websites.

Analysis

Military-connected students embody resilience, adaptability and a global perspective — qualities that enrich every classroom they enter. As states continue to advance policies that support these students, there is significant opportunity to build on existing momentum by strengthening implementation, increasing awareness and ensuring equitable access to information.

Insights

From 2022-2024, an evaluation was conducted by the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State University, titled “Evaluation of State Implementation of Supportive Policies to Improve Educational Experiences and Achievement for K-12 Military Children,” or SPEAK Military Children: https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu/projects/view/speak-military-children/. The evaluation identified key areas for improvement regarding implementation effectiveness and information accessibility of four War Department-sponsored initiatives that most states have enacted: Advance Enrollment, the Military Student Identifier, the Education Compact and the Purple Star Schools Program. By making minor refinements to existing policies and strengthening implementation of these beneficial initiatives, states can bolster educational outcomes for military-connected students.

Supporting Resources

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State Policymakers

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