Interstate Compact for Military Children

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Dixie Grunenfelder

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

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (SSB 5248) passed in 2009 by the Washington State Legislature and aims to reduce the educational and emotional issues encountered when the children of military personnel are required to transfer from schools in one state to another. The goal of the law is to provide as much consistency as possible with other states relative to school policies and procedures while honoring the existing laws that govern public education in our state.

Who Does the Compact Impact?

The provisions apply to the following military children:

  • Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this compact, including members of the national guard and reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Secs. 1209 and 1211.
  • Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after medical discharge or retirement.
  • Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one year after death.

The provisions do NOT apply to inactive members of the national guard and reserves, members of the uniformed services now retired, veterans of the uniformed services, other U.S. Department of Defense personnel, and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.

What are the Provisions of the Compact?

Educational Records & Enrollment

  • Unofficial or “hand-carried” education records
  • Official education records/transcripts
  • Immunizations
  • Kindergarten and first grade entrance age

Placement & Attendance

  • Course placement
  • Educational program placement
  • Eligibility for enrollment
  • Eligibility for extracurricular participation

Graduation Exit Exams

States shall accept:

  • Exit or end-of-course exams required for graduation from the sending state;
  • National norm-referenced achievement tests, or
  • Alternative testing, in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state in the event the above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a student transferring in his or her senior year.

State Council Meetings Information

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Findings & Recommendations from the WA Council, 2014 and prior