Know Your Rights – As a military family, we have rights and responsibilities when it comes to our child’s education. It’s up to you to understand them. Don’t leave your child’s right to a good education in the hands of strangers. Own it!
- MIC3 – Start here! Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission is fighting for the equal playing field we want in education for military families. www.mic3.net.
- The School Liaison Officer’s job is to help parents navigate the school systems. Contact them right away if you have any concerns about your transition. Be assertive and thorough when explaining your situation.
- Special Education Rights -Free Appropriate Public Education, or FAPE, is an educational right of children with disabilities in the United States that is guaranteed. To provide FAPE to a child with a disability, schools must provide students with an education, including specialized instruction and related services that prepares the child for further education, employment, and independent living. www.2.ed.gov
Information About Your New School – Before PCS-ing, parents should find out as much as they can before moving. More importantly, know to ask the right questions to better manage expectations and alleviate anxiety for both parents and child.
- School calendar – Ask for their school calendar right away. These should list important dates you need to know.
- Registration requirements – Every school is different but most schools require copy of orders, proof of residency and immunization records.
- Summer hours – Call your receiving school during the current school year to find out what their summer hours will be. This will also help you plan a tour and when to register. Most schools are closed or have very limited hours during the summer.
- Appropriate placement – School districts vary with what they offer gifted and talented students and special needs students. Procedures for choosing classes at the secondary level also may differ from your current school. Utilize the district and school websites to determine the options available to your child given their specific learning needs and the procedure for getting them placed appropriately for their academics.
- School choice – Does your new district have magnet schools, language immersion programs or the ability to transfer schools you are not zoned to go to? Know the choices available to your child and transfer request procedures.
- How do they handle incoming students with IEP/504 plans?
- How do they handle new students who have documented academic struggles from their previous school?
- How do they program for gifted and talented students? Not all schools are equal when it comes to offering curriculum or testing.
- Ask to speak with a grade level teacher and/or counselor to get a feel for the climate of the school and programs available to your child.
- How do they handle academic discrepancies with new students?
- Does the school offer a way for your child to connect with a peer before school starts? Another military family is great but any welcoming family will do.
- Specialists: If your child is currently working with a specialist (i.e. speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, reading specialist, counselor) at school seek out that person at the receiving school and share your child’s story with them to discuss continuity of care.
- Secondary students – Understand transferring credits, graduation requirements, ranking and how to determine appropriate placement in academic classes.
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