Military Connected Students

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Dixie Grunenfelder

Executive Director, Student Engagement and Support
360-878-0138

Over 32,000 students identify as being from a military family. These students face unique experiences due to regular moves and deployments of loved ones. Washington state acknowledges their resilience and unique life experiences that may need specific attention.

Purple Star Awards

Since military children move as frequently as every 2-3 years, districts granted the Purple Star Award provide educational and social-emotional supports to these students and their families as they transition to new schools. Beginning in 2024, the Washington State Purple Star Award (SHB 1346) is issued every two years to districts meeting specific criteria. 

MCEC (Military Child Education Coalition) is the national advocate for the Purple Star Program supporting military-connected children moving to new schools due to a parent’s change in duty station.

Applications for the Purple Star Awards 2024-25 school year will open mid-late July 2024 through November 2024. Award notifications will be announced by OSPI in early 2025.

Purple Star Award Criteria for School Districts

For school districts to be designated the Purple Star Award, they must:

Maintain a webpage dedicated to providing resources for military families Have a staff point of contact for military families and their children/students that:
  • Works jointly with the state military family educational liaison of the Interstate Compact Council to serve military families;
  • Serves as the primary liaison between military families and the school district;
  • Completes professional development on special considerations for military students and families; and
  • Identifies and informs teachers of military-connected students in their classrooms and the special considerations military families and students should receive under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

To receive the designation, a school district must also engage with one of the following optional activities:

  • Provide professional development for additional staff on special considerations for military students and families;
  • The local school district board of directors passes a resolution publicizing the school’s support for military children and families;
  • or Host a military recognition event that demonstrates a military-friendly culture.

Questions

Contact Christine Hurley or Dixie Grunenfelder at purplestar@k12.wa.us.

 

2024 Purple Star District Awards

Check this list to see the school districts that were awarded the 2024 Purple Star Awards

Data Collection

School districts are required to collect data regarding ethnicity from active-duty military families and active reserves from all branches, as well as the Washington National Guard, to meet the unique needs of military connected students. 2015: SSB 5163

Please reference the School Report card for data.

Interstate Compact for Military Children

The compact seeks to make transition easier for children of military families so they are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children, and not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals. Applicable to transfers among public school systems, it addresses key education issues encountered by military families in the areas of eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation.

Educators
  • MIC3
  • This is the official website of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission. The goal of the interstate compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents. The compact seeks to make the transition easier for children of military families, so they are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals. Applicable to transfers among public schools, it addresses key education issues encountered by military families in the areas of enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation.
  • Military Child Education Coalition
    MCEC provides training and leadership to ensure quality, inclusive educational experiences for all military children.
  • Military Student Mentoring
    Our online training program for mentors working with military students. Find information specific to using the Mentor Connections Model of school-based mentoring for military students.
Parents/Students
Parents of Students with Special Needs

The Interstate Compact also covers children with special needs changing schools

In addition to provisions in the Interstate Compact, Military OneSource offers these educational resources for families with special needs: