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State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs

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Key Message

Highly mobile children, including military children, are more likely to experience recurring educational disruptions and challenges accessing special education services, particularly those who need access to special education and related services. States can assist military families by ensuring timely establishment of services upon relocation and reducing procedural burdens.

Analysis

Many military children with special education needs are disadvantaged in accessing services in a timely manner due to the frequency with which their families move. Children from military families change location, on average, every two to three years. States have enacted improvements to their education statutes to build upon existing requirements provided within the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Insights

To further recommendations contained within a September 2024 Defense Department report to Congress, “Military-Connected Children and Special Education Services,” states are encouraged to specify a 30-day time frame for full program implementation for in-bound transfer students with existing IEPs or IFSPs. Neither Part B or C of the IDEA nor the regulations implementing Part B of the IDEA establish timelines for the new public education agency to adopt a child’s IEP or IFSP from the previous public agency or to develop and implement a new IEP or IFSP.

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