Education for Military-Connected Youth

Military children, youth and their families are a special part of Delaware’s population. On average, military students will attend six to nine different school systems from kindergarten to 12th grade. Our schools play an important role in providing supports to students during transitions and difficult times.

“Military-Connected Youth” pursuant to 14 DE Admin. Code 932.2.0 is defined as any student having an immediate family member, including a parent, step-parent, sibling or any other person residing in the same household, who is on active duty, serving in the reserve component, or recently retired from a branch of the United States armed forces. Such branches consist of United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, National Guard, United States Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the United States Public Health Service.

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission

As a national initiative, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children was developed jointly by The Council of State Governments’ National Center for Interstate Compacts and the U.S. Department of Defense, with input from policy experts, national associations, teachers, school administrators, military families, and federal, state, and local officials. The Compact eases interstate education transition challenges encountered by the children of active duty service members such as enrollment, eligibility, placement and graduation.

State Council

The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) State Council is comprised exactly as stated in the model language. While each member state may determine the membership of its own State Council, its membership must include at least:

The state superintendent of education
Superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children
Representative from a military installation,
One representative each from the legislative branch of government
One representative from the executive branch of government
Other offices and stakeholder groups the State Council deems appropriate

Learn more about Delaware’s state council for MIC3 including current members, meetings and yearly reports.

Resources for Families

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and provides on-demand, online tutoring and homework help at no cost to eligible service members, civilian personnel, and their dependents. With live, expert tutors available 24/7, military-connected students can receive academic help at their moment of need—anywhere they have an internet connection.

The Military Child Education Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to help the military child thrive in the face of transition and separation.

MCEC for Students – MCEC provides support to military-connected students through peer-to-peer mentoring programs, the Frances Hesselbein Student leadership Program, student-focused webinars, and our Student Advisory Council.
MCEC for Parents – MCEC provides a variety of supports to parents of military-connected children such as webinars, parent programs and other programs.

MIC3 Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

Resources for Schools

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State offers online learning modules to promote awareness; toolkits with brochures, handouts, and strategies to use within the school setting or to share with families; and directories to seek technical assistance.

The Military Child Education Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to help the military child thrive in the face of transition and separation. MCEC delivers programs, services, and professional development to meet the needs of military-connected students, parents, and professionals. To enhance the current capabilities, competency and awareness of professionals who serve and support military-connected children and youth, MCEC has a variety of professional learning opportunities that can be accessed through the MCEC for professionals site.

MIC3 Training Toolkit for Schools includes webpages, publications and videos to help schools understand the interstate compact and MIC3.

Purple Star Schools

Delaware’s Purple Star Distinguished School designation is given to K-12 public schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and address the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children and their families.

Data Collection

Districts and charter schools are required to annually identify enrolled students who are “military-connected youth” pursuant to 14 DE Admin. Code 932, 14 Del.C. Chapter 1, §122 (b)(28), 10 U.S.C. §101(d) (2014), and the reauthorized Every Student Succeeds Act (2015), 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.