The average military student faces transition challenges more than twice during high school and most military children will attend six to nine different school systems from kindergarten to 12th grade, according to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).
To make the transition easier for 45th Space Wing military families, the wing has a memorandum of understanding with the School Board of Brevard County that was signed April 15, 2016. This agreement is an extension of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children signed by all states in the U.S.
“The MOU addresses educational issues military families’ face that are unique to Florida and Brevard Public Schools,” said Reggie Logan, 45th SW School Liaison Officer at the Patrick Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center. “The agreement is designed to address the transition of military dependent students in a way that models and exemplifies partnership, flexibility, inclusiveness and information sharing between the 45 SW and BPS.”
According to the FDOE, children of military families have the same opportunities for educational success as other studies.
The school liaison officer at Patrick guides military families in their selection of the school that best fits their child’s educational interest and needs as they transition to schools in Brevard County. The officer also hosts quarterly Military Child Education Working Group meetings.
"In this group we discuss challenges military families face; from picking the right school to moving in the middle of senior year. Our goal is to develop systems and processes to resolve these issues and challenges," said Logan. “We want to help children transition smoothly in a way our Airmen can worry less about their family while they are accomplishing the mission."
According to the guidelines of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, once transcripts and records arrive at the new school, the school shall enroll and appropriately place the student as quickly as possible based on the information provided, pending validation of the official education records. Florida statues also help military families facilitate on-time graduation with certain provisions.
The MOU signing is a part of the 45th Force Support Squadron's Public-Public; Public-Private Partnership known as the P4 initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to create strategic partnerships with local communities through finding creative ways to leverage capabilities and resources.
For more information on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, go to http://www.militaryonesource.mil/k-12-and-college-education?content_id=267430. The Florida Department of Education’s Military Families also has information online at http://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/military-families.
The 45th SW School Liaison Office is located in Building 722 on Patrick AFB and can be reached at (321) 494-4733 from Monday through Friday during business hours, except federal holidays and training days.