Coalition eases school transition for military children
Military parents know this struggle all too well, and one organization is doing something about it. The Military Child Education Coalition, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, is forging educational partnerships between military installations and supporting school districts.
Besides taking care of logistical needs such as transferring course credits, the MCEC also works to ensure the personal needs of the students and families are met. Students can request pen pals through the MCEC and make new friends before they arrive. With the use of the Internet, students can also take virtual tours of their new school, check out the current dress codes and uniforms and gain a better understanding of the local area prior to a move.
"MacDill joined (the coalition) because it helps the base work with the local school systems," said Cindy Smith, director of community partnerships for MacDill. "Together, we can address the issues the military people have with their children, and we can help make their transitions better. When a child moves to another school, if he or she has a special need ahead of time, we can help work that out."
The coalition has nearly 500 registered members, according to Army Col. Ed Veiga, MCEC member.
"But that does not account for the numerous school systems and military installations. We have a couple of thousand actively involved, card-carrying members," he added. "The single most important benefit is taking care of the children of military families. MCEC helps children with their education, improves family readiness and aids the military in retaining service members and their families."
Army Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander-in-chief of U.S. Central Command, said his family moved 12 times and six of those times were during his daughter's school years.
"The greatest blessing was that all of her high school years were in one place," he said. "She didn't have to spend her senior year as a stranger in a new school, as many military youngsters do. I'm thankful that people in this coalition can improve our ability to move students in military families from place to place and make their lives easier so we can retain troops that have these great families."
For more information about the coalition, visit www.militarychild.org or write to the Military Child Education Coalition, P.O. Box 2519, Harker Heights, Texas 76548-2519. Membership is open to all military installations, their supporting schools, organizations and individuals. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
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