Military-connected students are: children in TK-12 schools, and young adults in Trade Schools, or Institutions of Higher Education (2 or 4 year schools) that are official dependents of a Military Service member. A military-connected student has one degree of separation from their military sponsor; the connection may be biological, because of an adoption, through foster parenting, or with in loco parentis authorization.
Military-connected students face the following challenges:
-
Separations from a parent or caregiver due to deployments;
-
High mobility rates – active duty families move every two to three years (This is approximately three times more often than the civilian population. Students often experience six to nine moves during their TK-12 school education);
-
Academic and social challenges attributed to frequent school changes, deployment of a parent(s), return of a deployed parent, injury to or death of a parent, etc.;
-
Difficulties qualifying for, receiving, or continuing special needs services due to differences in regulation interpretations, testing required to enroll in or receive special needs services, and resource availability in school districts;
-
Understanding and interpreting new school regulations and policies;
-
Elevated stress – making new friends and finding a new peer group in a new school; adjustment to a new school, community, and home;
-
At-risk for depression and anxiety due to relocation, deployment of a parent(s), etc.; and,
-
Adjusting to curriculum and instructional methods or school climate/culture that may differ from school to school.
-Adapted from Military Child Education Coalition
The Purple Star School Program recognizes School Districts and Individual Schools that demonstrate a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our Nation’s Armed Forces. Muroc Joint Unified School District is proud to be a Purple Star School District.
The frequent relocations required of military personnel mean that military-connected students often face unique challenges during their school career. As students transition between schools, these students must adapt to varying cultures, school populations, curricula and course standards, and graduation requirements.
Muroc Joint Unified School District is committed to partnering with you to ensure excellence in the education of your military-connected student and in finding innovative ways to support our military families.
Edwards School Liaison Office
The School Liaison Program provides military-connected children the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, regardless of duty station, deployments, or transition status by partnering with families, community members, educators and other policymakers. These partnerships impact quality Pre-K through 12th-grade educations and allow for tailored support to families and commanders in meeting the challenging demands of the military lifestyle.
https://www.edwardsfss.com/family/school-liaison-office
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
[email protected] Work Cell: 661-902-8335 Office: 661-277-2456