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Report: Better Serving Those Who Serve

Lex-report-imgFor the more than 1 million school-aged children in public schools that have a parent serving active duty in the United States military, access to a high-quality education can be problematic.

With that in mind, the Lexington Institute’s new report, “Better Serving Those Who Serve: Improving the Educational Opportunities of Military-Connected Students,” examines the overwhelming shortage of high-quality education opportunities for military-connected students across the country.

Taking a look at military-connected student education in four states – Colorado, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia – the report identifies areas of strength and opportunities for growth when it comes to educating military-connected students, who move 2 to 3 times more frequently than their civilian peers during their K-12 education.

The report also includes a series of recommendations for how states and policymakers can improve day-to-day education experiences for military-connected families.

The authors explain how military students are often faced with:

  • Inconsistent content and achievement standards from state to state;
  • Educators and decision makers prepared to offer only limited support;
  • A shortage of effective state and school district policies to identify and support military-connected families and students.

“Military families face many challenges while serving their country. The quality of educational options – including the availability of high, consistent standards, and states and districts that are able to support them – shouldn’t be included in that list,” says Jim Cowen, executive director of the Collaborative for Student Success.

Click here to download the report.

Read more:

Military Times: “Study: Academic performance varies widely among districts serving military students

Washington Post: “When troops worry about their kids’ schools, our military suffers

Inside Sources: “How Can We Improve Educational Opportunities for Students in Military Families?

The Virginian-Pilot: “Lack of quality school choices are hurting military families. Is open enrollment a solution?

Fayetteville Observer: “North Carolina an example to improve education for military children, think tank says

Fox News Opinion: “Military families deserve high-quality educational offerings. They’re not always getting them

 

About the Collaborative for Student Success

At our core, we believe leaders at all levels have a role to play in ensuring success for K-12 students. From ensuring schools and teachers are equipped with the best materials to spotlighting the innovative and bold ways federal recovery dollars are being used to drive needed changes, the Collaborative for Student Success aims to inform and amplify policies making a difference for students and families.

To recover from the most disruptive event in the history of American public schools, states and districts are leveraging unprecedented resources to make sure classrooms are safe for learning, providing students and teachers with the high-quality instructional materials they deserve, and are rethinking how best to measure learning so supports are targeted where they’re needed most. 

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