Air Force Sgt. Cynthia Carter discusses the challenges military children face when moving to new schools.
Military families make incredible sacrifices to serve our country. One of them is moving several times during their careers.
Secretary Duncan stopped at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to discuss how educators can address the unique needs of military children.
The Portsmouth Shipyard is one of more than 200 military bases that have a liaison who works with local schools to help ease the transition for students.
But the most important development is the interstate compact in which states share student records, according to Hannah McCarthy, the school liaison for the shipyard.
Through the compact, she can provide information such as grades, an individualized education program, and test scores that help schools address the needs of students.
“The compact has been instrumental in helping alleviate some of the challenges that military families have,” McCarthy told the secretary.
McCarthy also says she reaches out to school districts that will be enrolling students whose families are moving to new assignments.
“I can call wherever they’re going and help set them up,” she said.
Click here for an accessible version of the video.