Military Connected Students

Supporting Military-Connected Students

purple star logo

In Washington state, over 32,000 students identify as being part of a military family. These students often face unique challenges, such as frequent relocations and the deployment of family members. Their resilience is remarkable, and their experiences deserve thoughtful support and recognition.

The Purple Star District Award Program

To address the needs of military-connected students, Washington state enacted the Purple Star District Award Program into law on July 23, 2023. Starting in 2024, school districts can earn the Washington state Purple Star Award – issued every two years – by meeting specific criteria that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military families. Districts must reapply to maintain this designation.

The Purple Star Award recognizes school districts that go above and beyond to provide academic and social-emotional support for military-connected students who may move as often as every 2–3 years due to changes in their parent’s duty station. 

National Support Through MCEC

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is the national advocate for the Purple Star Program and works to ensure that children of service members receive consistent, high-quality educational experiences as they transition between schools.

Purple Star Award Criteria for School Districts

As directed in SHB 1346,

To be considered for the designation, a school district must maintain a dedicated page on its website featuring resources for military families. The school district must also have a staff point of contact for military students and families that:

Works jointly with the state military family education liaison of the Interstate Compact Council to serve military families; Serves as the primary liaison between military families and the school district;
To receive the designation, a school district must also complete one or more of the following optional activities:

  • Provide professional development for additional staff on special considerations for military students and families;
  • Pass a resolution publicizing the school district's support for military children and families; or
  • Host a military recognition event that demonstrates a military-friendly culture.
  • Completes professional development on special considerations for military students and families under relevant state and federal law; 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.


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

Purple Star District Awards

Acceptable Professional Development for Purple Star Award Applicants

First Time Applicants

Districts applying for the first time must complete training through the Penn State Clearing House for Military Family Readiness: 

This training will meet the professional development requirement as established in SHB 1346. There are 40 modules, 10-15 minutes each, that can easily be completed over ~5-8 business days if you focus on 6-8 modules per day.

It can be accessed here: Military-Connected Students (Purple Star Schools) – School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students.

For ease of access, once you open the link above:

  1. Scroll down the webpage until you see module 1, Readiness to Support Military-Connected Students.
  2. Click ‘view’ on the right of module 1 and, in the same tab, it will open to Learning Modules ‘Military-Connected Families’.
  3. Scroll down to ‘Open Module’ and click to open.
  4. A new webpage tab will open. Click ‘Start Training’ to begin.
  5. After you complete each training, save the training certificate at the end of each module. You will need these to show you have completed this training series
  6. When each module is complete, return to the previous webpage tab, Learning Modules ‘Military-Connected Families’, and click the back arrow. This will bring you back to the Penn State Clearing House 40 module series.
  7. Continue with the next training in the series following the directions above.

Reapplying

Districts reapplying for the Purple Star Award – Those who have previously held the designation and are reapplying must complete the MCEC training below:

MCEC Online Learning - Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®)

  • Once on the MCEC Learning Hub, scroll down to the bottom of the “Professional Development” section and click on “Visit the Learning Hub”.
  • Move through the prompts to sign up.
  • When that is complete, you will arrive at the course catalogue.
  • There are two categories on top of the page, “Professional Development” and “Students”. Enter the Professional Development modules.
  • There are eight modules you will need to complete.
  • At the end of each module, you will be prompted to complete a survey. It is only after you have completed each module survey that you will have access to the training certificate.
  • You will receive a certificate for five of the eight modules.
    • Save all of the certificates.
MCEC PD Modules Certificate (y/n)
Gone is Gone: Supporting Military-Connected Children Yes
New: Purple Star Schools Exemplary Practices Yes
Practical approaches to supporting military-connected students Yes
We Serve Too: National Guard and Reserve Children Yes
When Military Service Ends: Supporting the Children of Yes
Mini Lesson for All Ages: Social Connection  No
Mini Lesson for All Ages: Social Connection as a Protective No
Mini Lesson for Elementary School Students: Social No

Purple Star Virtual Two-Day Trainings

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) offers Purple Star Schools virtual two-day trainings scheduled throughout the year. The Virtual Training - Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) website provides more information. Request information on upcoming training dates to the email contact on their webpage.

Resources for Military-Connected Families, Students, Districts & Schools

Military Resources and Links

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

In October 2025-26, 32,726 Washington state students were enrolled and identified as military-connected during the school year.

Please refer to the School Report Card for the data.

Navigating Data for Military-Connected Students & Families in Washington State

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.

Resources

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 is 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: