(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education has launched a new set of online resources that will assist with the educational and administrative challenges unique to military students and their families. The Supporting Military Families webpage is live now on the Idaho Department of Education website.
Military families face additional challenges when they transition between duty stations or are activated from the National Guard or Reserve. Because active-duty service members typically change duty stations every two to three years and Reserve and National Guard members can be activated for indeterminate time frames, military families and students will go through the sometimes arduous process of enrolling their students and transferring credits multiple times throughout a student’s K-12 education.
“This new set of resources helps take pressure off students and parents who have already sacrificed so much for our country,” said Regional Director and Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commissioner Spencer Barzee. “Gaining a full understanding of how we can best meet their needs is the first step in ensuring that Idaho is on track to set the standard in supporting military families.”
The website advises school administrators and parents on the benefits available to students through the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and provides detailed information on appropriate identification of eligible students, course placement, records transfer, absence related to deployment activities and much more. A supplementary Parent Guide to the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children familiarizes families with the highlights of the compact and what it means to them.
“Giving back to our military families does more than show respect and gratitude – it sends the message that we have concrete ways to make life easier for not only students, but for the whole family,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “When reserve or active duty service members arrive to their post in Idaho, they will come to a state that is committed to serving the needs of military families.”