There are many online resources available to military families, from blogs to official government sites. When it comes to school transition and military-connected students, an outstanding resource to turn to for up-to-date information is Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3).

MIC3 is a commission with representation from every US state and the District of Columbia, all of which have agreed to the Interstate Compact for the Educational Opportunity for Military Children (Compact). According to the Council of State Governments, “A compact enables the states—in their sovereign capacity—to act jointly and collectively, generally outside the confines of the federal legislative or regulatory process.”

MIC3 oversees the Compact, which helps provide a smoother transition for military-connected students in public schools as they transfer between school districts in different states.

How each state approaches education requirements and curriculum is different, and  navigating how and when the Compact is applied can be tricky. That’s why MIC3 recently launched several new online tools for military families and educators. MIC3’s website features resources ranging from videos and webinars to interactive maps and downloadable brochures. The commission wants to be the one-stop shop for parents and schools when it comes to understanding the Compact.

Cherise Imai, executive director of MIC3, is hopeful the organization’s online tools will help military families navigate the challenge of changing schools and other issues resulting from a military Permanent Change of Station (PCS). “We want to give parents the tools for what they need to know when changing schools,” she says. “We think these online videos and resources can give parents a good running baseline about the Compact.”

There are many assumptions surrounding the use of the Compact. Parents may believe the Compact covers more than it does. Cherise stresses the importance of knowing what the Compact covers. “We want to make it easy for parents to find the information they need before they need it. These videos are a great way to familiarize yourself with provisions,” she says.

MIC3 Video Resources

One online resource Cherise recommends is MIC3’s YouTube channel. She emphasizes the two short videos that sum up the Compact for parents and educators: MIC3 Summary and MIC3 Summary with Provisions. They are easy to understand and shareable.

School Liaison Directories

Another of MIC3’s recently added resources is a set of directories to help families find School Liaisons across the country. Liaisons are key to helping military families transition to new schools. They serve as the primary point of contact for school-related matters and help build partnerships between the military and schools. Every US military installation has at least one liaison assigned to help minimize issues relating to school transition for military-connected students. Parents can now find liaisons in their area with just a few clicks.

The map also offers a fully interactive list of MIC3 Commissioners in every state and how to contact them.

The Compact is a great guideline for parents but not every school is aware of what it covers and when it can be applied. Parents can print a copy of the Compact before moving day, and review and highlight the provisions that apply to their student. Hand-carry the printed version of the Compact with the student’s Education Binder through the PCS move. During school registration, if issues arise, the Compact can be easily referenced.

As for the MIC3 website, Cherise says there is more to come. “We are expanding our podcast and webinars this next year and hopefully a few more videos for parents and school access. We’ve grown so much since we started, I’m excited to see where our growth takes us.”

Stacy Huisman is an Air Force spouse, mother of two, and freelance writer. An advocate with a passion for military-connected children and their families, Stacy is coauthor of Seasons of My Military Student: Practical Ideas for Parents and Teachers. She’s dedicated the last decade to understanding the challenges military kids face when changing schools. 

More about supporting students during transitions:

• • Early Planning Helps School Transition
  • Five Ways Military Kids Clubs Help Students and Schools
  • How to join the Seasons of My Military Student Cultivation Team

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Resources are free unless otherwise indicated.

• Especially for parents and teachers: Connect with education experts and supporters of military-connected students in the Seasons of My Military Student Cultivation Team Room on Facebook.
• Legacy Kids Writing Workshop is a virtual writing class designed for military kids. Cost is $10 for eight self-paced sessions.
• Tutor.com offers military-connected kids free online help for all subjects.
• Khan Academy is offering free resources during school closures including schedules to help with planning and other resources for parents and teachers.
• Brain Pop has free content available for families or schools impacted by closures.
• Mystery Science offers free, easy science for remote learning especially for school closures.
• Quizlet has flashcards and quizzes on any subject and is offering free access through June 30, 2020.
• Scholastic News  is a free online magazine, with editions tailored to various age groups.
• We Are Teachers and Teachers Pay Teachers are sites where teachers upload both paid and free resources for K-12 students. Payments benefit teachers who create the resources.
• Open Culture is a source of free cultural and educational material.
• Smithsonian Institution has all kinds of material just for kids.
• Paris Musées, encompassing the fourteen municipal museums of Paris has a treasury of free art. Scroll down to “Images in the Public Domain.”
• Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems via the Kennedy Center. In this program, hosted by a children’s author and illustrator, kids can watch, download resources and post their own artwork.
• Brains On is an podcast for kids and adults from American Public Media.
• National Geographic Kids offers Brain Games.

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Here are some story and activity books about military life, created especially for children and teens:

> Military Life: Stories and Poems for Children

> N is for Never Forget: POW-MIA A to Z

> Dear Blue Sky

> The Wishing Tree

> Night Catch

> The Spy With the Wooden Leg: The Story of Virginia Hall

> My Mom’s/Dad’s Deployment Activity Book

> Coloring My Military Life 1 and 2

> Deployment Journal for Kids

> Fish in a Tree

The post Books appeared first on Seasons of My Military Student.

Adams, J. 2016. “Military Students to Get Additional Support Under ESSA.” Education Week 35(34): 21.

Astor, R., K. De Pedro, T. Gilreath, M. Esqueda, and R. Benbenishty. 2013. “The Promotional Role of School and Community  Contexts for Military Students.” Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review 16(3): 233-244.

Berkowitz, R., K. De Pedro, J. Couture, R. Benbenishty, and R. A. Astor. 2014, January. “Military Parents’ Perceptions of Public School Supports for Their Children.” Children & Schools 36(1).

Bradshaw, C. P., M. Sudhinaraset, K. Mmari, and R. W. Blum. 2010. “School Transitions Among Military Adolescents: A Qualitative Study of Stress and Coping.” School Psychology Review 39(1): 84-105

Easterbrooks, M. A., K. Ginsburg, and R. M. Lerner. 2013, Fall. “Resilience Among Military Youth.” The Future of Children 23(2): 99-120.

Finkel, L. B., M. L. Kelley, and J. Ashby. 2003. “Geographical Mobility, Family, and Maternal Variables as Related to the Psychosocial Adjustment of Military Children.” Military Medicine 168(12): 1019-1024.

Lester, P., and E. Flake. 2013. “How Wartime Military Service Affects Children and Families.” The Future of Children 23(2): 121-141.

Military Child Education Coalition for the US Army. 2012. “Executive Summary.” Education of the Military Child in the 21st Century: Current Dimensions of Educational Experiences for Army Children.

Shafer, L., B. Walsh, and M. Weber. 2016, November 9. “Military Kids, Resilience and Challenges.” Retrieved from Harvard Graduate School of Education: GSE.Harvard.edu/news/uk/16/11/military-kids-resilience- and-challenges

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Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) oversees preschool through twelfth grade education programs for military-connected students, including DoDEA schools worldwide. DoDEA.edu

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) is the governing body for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The compact addresses key education issues faced by military-connected students during interstate transfers between public schools. MIC3 assists with compliance and understanding of the compact. MIC3.net

Military and Family Life Counseling Program provides professional counseling services for military families. MilitaryOneSource.mil

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) supports quality educational opportunities for military children. MilitaryChild.org

National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Program includes summer camps for military kids, and outdoor experiences for military families affected by deployment or injury. MilitaryFamily.org

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers care to anyone grieving the loss of a military loved one. TAPS Good Grief Camps provide safe spaces for military children to explore grief and embrace healing. TAPS.org

24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline 800-959-TAPS (8277).

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