SOARAs children move in and out of various school districts, they are tasked to meet varying standards with varying scope and sequence. In order to “fill in the cracks” that may occur as students transition; Student Online Achievement Resources [SOAR] is available free of charge to our military children and to the school districts that serve them. Students take assessments based upon their new location’s standards. Individualized tutorial activities are created to reinforce and review skills not mastered. SOAR is not a tool for grade placement or a standardized testing program, but it does assist in strengthening any weaknesses a child may have before they arrive in their new location. SOAR can also be used at any time as a general practice tool to assist students with skills. Language Arts and Reading as well as Mathematics for grades 3-12 are covered in SOAR. Each child registered will be given a password to access their account. Deployed parents can go online with the password to check on their child’s progress. Other features include: links to military installations, transitions resources, and school websites, resources for at-home learning activities, a message board, state specific resources, links to Department of Education and other educational resource websites, as well as professional development for teachers and staff.
Military Youth on the Move
This site is designed to assist military school age children with the many concerns and fears they have as they PCS. Counselors and teachers may wish to share this information with outgoing families or may find some tips to assist children in their schools.Traumatic Grief in Military Children
Educators and school personnel play important roles in supporting military children who have experienced loss. Although educators cannot, and should not, take on the responsibility of providing therapy to children who are grieving, they can be valuable partners in observing children, creating supportive environments, and knowing when to suggest referral to a mental health professional. We hope this downloadable booklet will assist you should be in the position to have a student who has experienced a loss.
Educator’s Guide to the Military Child During Deployment
Schools can be one place where stability and normal routine can provide an anchor for children during the challenges of deployment and the resulting disruptions to daily life. The predictability of the classroom helps to cushion the impact of deployment that often includes changes in psychological equilibrium and disruption of individual behavior and coping skills. Alternatively, the stresses that may result from family separation have the potential to affect an entire school community and may interfere with the ability of students and staff to focus on learning. This downloadable booklet is intended to help educators build coping skills in their students during and after a military deployment.
Building Resilient Kids
This free online course is for school administrators, support staff and teachers to help all students meet life’s challenges with resilience, focusing primarily on students from military families. FREE CEUs and option for graduate credit available.Signs of Suicide Prevention Program
The SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program is being offered to school districts with a military student population of 20% or more. To learn more about the SOS Suicide Prevention Program and or to register, call (781) 239-0071. Kits of implementation materials/curricula are available in limited supply.
Principals’ Workshops
The Military Impacted Schools Association provides workshops for educators to address deployment and transition issues for military families on the move. If you are interested in scheduling a workshop in your area or to learn more about the upcoming workshops, call (800) 291-6472 or send an E-mail.
Promising Practices
The Military Impacted Schools Association has compiled a list of promising practices schools have implemented to assist mobile military children. Please feel free to “steal ideas”!!
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children
Designed to enable cooperation between states, the compact allows for the uniform treatment of military children transferring between school districts and states. It recognizes that states, no matter how supportive they are of military children, can only control what happens within their individual borders. By uniting with other states in the compact, each state can ensure that “their” children have the educational opportunities they deserve, even when those children move to another state. This link will provide details of the compact as well as state by state progress. Counselors may find it helpful when sending students back to the USA to know the compact status of the new state.
Military One Source
This site provides tons of information and support to military families. Of particular interest to educators is assistance with quickly arranging free counseling for military children.
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
This nonprofit group is dedicated to supporting the military child in easing school transitions and providing deployment support. MCEC offers educator resources and professional development. Teachers may wish to have students participate in the many literary and art contests or apply for space camp scholarships.
Ten Things Military Teens Want You to Know
Find out how military teens feel about their unique circumstances.
Leveling the Playing Field for Military Students
Informative power point presentation created by DoDEA and Dept of Education
Exploring Military Culture
Informative power point presentation created by DoDEA and Dept of Education.
Listen Talk Connect
Free downloadable Sesame Street DVD aims to provide support and significant resources for military families with children between the ages of two and five who are experiencing the effects of deployment, multiple deployments, and combat-related injuries.
Military K-12 Partners
The Department of Defense’s Educational Partnership Branch website focused on providing information that directly relates to the work of educators and administrators in military-connected school systems. The site provides a wealth of information about resources available for schools located around the country that serve military families. The site will also provide information for school liaison officers which will help point schools in the direction of available resources.
Working with Military Kids; A Primer for School Personnel
This downloadable booklet provides information on issues relating to military children. There is even a great section on military acronyms and ranks!
Operation Military Kids
Designed to support military kids during deployment, this site provides information and links on activities in support of our children.
Operation Military Kids Study Circles
Minnesota video on military families and deployment.
The Voice of a Military Child
A Minnesota Student media presentation on her life as a military child and the deployment/return of her Dad.
The Emotional Cycle of Deployment
A Military Perspective. An Article by: LTC Simon H. Pincus, USA, MC, COL Robert House, USAR, MC, LTC Joseph Christenson, USA, MC, and CAPT Lawrence E. Adler, MC, USNR-R
Memorandum of Understanding Between Department of Defense and Department of Education.
Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS)
Researchers and educators designed, implemented, and tested a partnership process called Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) Interactive Homework. With TIPS, any teacher can regularly keep more families informed and involved in their children’s learning and help more students complete their homework.
Ten Tips for Administrators
That Foster Connectedness to School
