As military families move to accept new assignments, children often face many challenges related to education. The Interstate Compact on Education Opportunity for Military Children is working to remove barriers to educational success for children of military members. The Compact was developed by the Council of State Governments, education and military family experts, and the Department of Defense. States that sign on to the compact agree to work collectively with other compact states to create uniform standards of practice regarding the transfer of records, course placement, graduation requirements, redundant or missed testing, entrance-age variations and other transition issues.
It is estimated that the average military family moves three times more often than the average non-military family. These frequent moves by can cause children to miss out on extracurricular activities and to face challenges in meeting graduation requirements. The Compact will ensure that the children of military families are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals by inflexible administrative and bureaucratic practices. States participating in the Compact would work to coordinate graduation requirements, transfer of records and course placement and other administrative policies. As of October 1st 2009 – 26 states have adopted the compact.
For a state-by-state status update and to learn more about the compact visit the Council of State Governments site.
