An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MLSD adopts interstate compact to help military students

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  In the average active duty career, a military child will change schools six to nine times between kindergarten and twelfth grade.

Washington state joined the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission in 2009 so military families could be afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and to ensure their children are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals.

Last month, the Medical Lake School District formally adopted the Interstate Compact by a unanimous vote. This is a seamless transition for the school district as they have been honoring the principles of the compact for years. The school board just made the program official said Steve McMullen, School Liaison Specialist, Airman & Family Readiness Center, 92nd Force Support Squadron.

"Families shouldn't see any changes because the school district will continue to serve its military students, only now, the policy is official," said McMullen.

Some examples of how the school district helps military families include:
· Waiving specific course requirements for graduation if similar course work has been completed at the sending school.
· Facilitating the opportunity for transferring student's inclusion in extracurricular activities regardless of application deadlines.
· At the superintendent's discretion, allowing excused absences for children to participate in pre and post deployment activities provided the parent or legal guardian is a full-time active duty member.

According to their official website, the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission was developed to standardize treatment of military children who transfer between school districts and states. State participation is voluntary and each state must adopt the compact through its own legislative process. Currently, the only states not participating are Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Minnesota, Arkansas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. U.S. Territories not participating include: Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

For more information, visit http://www.mic3.net/index.aspx.