Guest blog post by National Education Committee Member Nancy Babis
 
Have you heard of the Purple Star Schools program? It’s a vital education connection for our military children, but many people are not aware it exists. 
 
A Purple Star School is a public or charter school whose mission is to help military families maintain continuity of their child’s education through changes in duty stations. Forty-four states currently have Purple Star Schools, with five more states pending legislation.
 
Purple Star Schools are a key piece in the readiness puzzle for military families who traditionally move every two to four years. These schools give parents peace of mind and help smooth the transition for students, keeping them on track for academic success.
 
Educators at these schools receive training on military culture, identifying the challenges students face when “being the new kid” again, and tools to help identify the social-emotional effects of relocation. These schools are typically located near military installations.
 
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a nonprofit organization formed 26 years ago and serves as an advocate for Purple Star Schools. To learn more about MCEC and this important education program, visit https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/purple-star-schools/.