National University “Unique Challenges Facing Military-

Connected Students”

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Today’s Agenda

Operation Educate the EducatorArmy Commissioned Study Summer of 2012Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities

for Military Children (Considerations and Policies)

Common Core Standards and the military childAge Appropriate School-Site Support ideasNational Board Certification and the military childNational University Course and Cohort

Connections

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Military Life is often a positive experience

allowing for personal growth for children

and spouses.

We are introduced to new places and new friends. We have the freedom to start fresh with every move. We experience world’s

of opportunity that others only read about in books.

Calendars: Start/end dates; holidays, time off for family.

Schedules: Moving a student between a traditional and block schedule and vice versa can cause loss of credit. Semester vs trimester.

Interpretation of Grades (weighted grades) Percentage grades are usually easier to interpret, but a 90% may be an “A” in one school and a “B” in another school.

Repeated Content: Students have already completed the unit/information OR missed unit altogether

Extra-Curricular Activities: Timing of a move eliminates the possibility to join many extra-curricular activities on or off campus.

Student concerns I see daily

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Rank and Public life: known as the "First Sergeant's son" or the “Commander's daughter.“

Identity/culture: Are often with the base. The sound of planes or tanks are the sound of home to these students..

Death of military member – comes a very public family event. Children also soon face a second loss – that of the military community.

Student concerns I see daily

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Prepare our educators to serve military-connected students. Over 1.3 million military-students can be found in every school district. The vast majority of students are in public school classrooms, not in DoDEA schools

National University joined White House Initiative “Operation Educate the Educators”

◦ Partner with PK-12 schools to develop school cultures that are supportive of students in military families.

◦ Develop a network of faculty contacts to support military-connected teachers and students.

◦ Offer Support-training and tools to degree and NBPTS support programs so that pre-service through graduate professionals are equipped to support military-connected children.

National University’s fit?

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Military students experience multiple academic and social challenges over the course of their education due to the many moves their families make and the stresses of military life.

We (National University) have a role to play in ensuring our program candidates are ready to meet the needs of these students.

Why the focus?

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Every school district in the country has military-connected students.

Approximately 10-12% of military-connected students are served in special education programs.

Why it matters (fast facts)

An additional 144,1911 students age 19-23 are in higher education

Difficulty adjusting to curriculum and instructional methods or school climate/culture that may differ from school to school.

Active duty families move every two to three years.

Children often experience six to nine moves during their PK-12 school career

Why it matters (fast facts)

Army Commissioned Study Summer of 2012 marks the completion of a 3

year study of military-connected children and the impact school policies, priorities, processes, programs and systems have on our children’s education

Education of the Military Child in the 21st Century

http://www.militarychild.org/blog/emc21

Military Child Education Coalition

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Deployments DO Impact “business” of running a school

Teachers expressed their opinion that deployment-related issues were something they had to manage every day

School Administrators and teachers witness the phenomenon of “Parentification” – students taking on extraordinary responsibilities at home – as a concern

Schools offer a variety of support programs and services but educators, specifically teachers, are not always knowledgeable about these resources

Deployments: Administrators & Teachers State

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“[Deployments have] demanded for me to be more compassionate, and identifying the difference between an excuse and reason. We talk a lot about that in my class… excellence, consistency, not over reacting without knowing what’s going on.” Teacher

“One of my kids had a hard time in school, did not

have a lot of teacher support

during the deployment of my husband.

He’s an average student and

needed a little bit more attention.”

Parent

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A desire to provide religious or moral instruction 32% A concern about the school environment 20% A dissatisfaction with the academic instruction in the public school 32% Provide a non-traditional approach to education 8% Other reasons (travel, family time, distance to school, financial) 20% Child has special needs the parents feel the school cannot meet 24% Child has physical or mental health need 4% Continuity in education during transition 28%

Move To Homeschooling:

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Except for perceived time constraints, deployment impacts are negligible.

The organization/structure of home school mitigates post-deployment reintegration and increases flexibility.

Move to Homeschooling

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Study is still asking questions in this area. Of particular interest:

What types of challenges or successes have homeschooled students experienced when transitioning from a home school to a public school? What specific strategies have parents found helpful to navigate this transition? My question: What strategies have teachers found helpful in the transition process?

Homeschool back to public school

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GUARD & RESERVE CALLED TO DUTY

Since 2001, over 205,000 students who never before considered themselves to be military-connected had a parent suddenly deploy in

support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Suddenly Military-Children

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Parents perception of the way the child's school supported them during a deployment directly related to the impact deployments had on education◦ Parents who shared a high support from the school

reported back a positive or neutral deployment impact on education;

◦ Parents who shared that a school was not helpful or ambivalent during a deployment created a negative educational impact due to deployments.

Support during deployments

Elementary Teachers

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State Level Interstate Compact

on Educational Opportunities

for Military Children

(Amended and Effective – November 16, 2012)

MIC3 Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission http://www.mic3.net

“The average military student faces transition challenges more than twice during high school and most military children will attend six to nine different school systems in their lives from kindergarten to 12th grade. The Compact therefore seeks to make transition easier for the children of military families so that they are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals”

Compact Purpose:

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Transfer of Records -Special Education, Gifted Education, English as a Second Language, & Advanced Placement

Course Sequencing means repeated/missed content

Missed Graduation Requirements

Exclusion from Extra-Curricular

Activities

Specific impacts on military children include:

Redundant or Missed Entrance/Exit Testing

Kindergarten and First Grade Entrance Age Variances

**Amended portion of 2012 Compact

Specific impacts on military children include (Continued):

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Educational Records - unofficial copies will be provided in lieu of the official record. This unofficial record is then used for preliminary placement while the school sends for the official record.

Immunizations –Provides for specific timelines, in this case 30 days from the date of enrollment, for students to obtain required immunizations in the receiving state.

Age of Enrollment/Course Continuation – In the case of a Kindergarten student, the student must have been enrolled and attended class in the sending state in order to assure continued attendance in Kindergarten in the receiving state. **Amended portion of 2012 Compact

Compact guidelines:Enrollment

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• the receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational courses based on the student’s enrollment in the sending state school

Course/ Educational

Program

• receiving state shall initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on current (IEP); and make reasonable accommodations & modifications to address the needs of incoming students with disabilities.

Special education services

Placement

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Extracurricular activities

• state and local education agencies shall facilitate the opportunity for military children’s inclusion in extracurricular activities to the extent they are otherwise qualified

Absence as related to

deployment activities

• a student shall be granted additional excused absences for family visits in relations to deployment related activities

Eligibility

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• officials shall waive specific courses required for graduation if similar course work has been satisfactorily completed or shall provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on-time.

Waiver requirements

• states shall accept: 1) exit or end-of-course exams from the sending state; or 2) national norm-referenced achievement tests or 3) alternative testing,

Exit exams

• Should a military student be ineligible to graduate from the receiving school after all alternatives have been considered, the sending & receiving education agencies shall ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending local education agency.

Transfers during Senior

year

GRADUATION

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The Interstate Compact became active with the adoption by 10 states in July 2008. Today, 43 states have adopted the Compact and incorporated it into their state statutes. (FOUR states only signed the compact after the 2012/2013 School Year began! Massachusetts, Georgia, Wyoming, Pennsylvania)

Effective Date

The Commission in concert with the Department of Defense, is working diligently to get the Compact adopted in all 50 states and 5 U.S. territories

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If you are in a non-member state, contact your School Liaison Officer!30/59

For our military-connected children, CCSS are a dramatic shift from an education experience that has traditionally been a patchwork of various standards and expectations as they move from state to state to one that will be as close to academically seamless as possible.

“Common Core” or “Common Core State Standards

To date, 45 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands,and the Northern Mariana Islands have voluntarily adoptedCCSS. States that have adopted CCSS have planned to implement them fully no later than School Year 2014-2015.

This equals the homes of approximately 80% of all military-connected children. The remaining students are in one of the states that have not adopted CCSS.

WARNING: Although the adoption process has occurred, school districts may take several years to implement CCSS. Implementation involves many steps, including necessary changes in curriculum and assessments.

Common Core

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45 states & 3 territories and Department of Defense Education Activity have formally adopted the Common Core State Standards

Still missing: Hawaii, Texas, Virginia, Nebraska, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, America Samoa

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Is Your State A Common Core Standards State?

Think military-connected student

Think non-traditional military-connected students (friends & family members)

Individual level - YOU

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Communicate with the school and teacher often

Research school and activities Get involved!

Attend PASS (Parent Advocate for Students and Schools) workshops at local base

Talk to your Key Spouses/FRG's/Ombudsmen or military member’s 1st Shirt

Work with your School Liaison Officer http://militaryk12partners.dodea.edu

What can parents do?

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What can Elementary teachers do to support our students?

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Welcome to school/class/community Packet Buddy system Encourage class introductions PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE!! Salute to military child day (April wear PURPLE) Allow phone calls/Skype during school day Engage in play activities Write in a journal even in pictures if student does not yet write Write cards or letters to the deployed family member Adopt military unit Call home with good news and concerns – educational and

social Make a memory book or calendar reflecting positive thoughts &

actions Make a deployment book to send to deployed military member

with pictures and captions. Take part in individual and group counseling when problems arise

What can Elementary teachers do?

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**does you school have a plan in the event of the death or injury of a military member on deployment?

What can middle & high school teachers do to support our students?

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Encourage class introductions PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE!! Military club – invite both military kids and non-military

kids to discuss challenges facing military families; community projects.

Adopt military unit – invite guest speakers or tutors Salute to military child day (April wear PURPLE) Ask about past duty station locations Ask about past school culture and routines Challenged student at deeper level if repeating

learned content: don’t assume student has received prior

instruction – communicate!

Encourage involvement in activities Call home with good news & concerns – educational &

social

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

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Skype during school hours (Skype phone or school computer)

Keep a journal. Write poetry & stories Expect changes in behavior! Engage in art activities Write cards or letters to the deployed family member Encourage class postcards Time-zone wall Learn problem-solving strategies Participate in small group discussions & support groups Exercise or listen to music Take part in individual and group counseling when problems

arise

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOLDeployment support

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**Does you school have a plan in the event of the death or injury of a military member on deployment?

My CHALLENGE to YOU!

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

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Four Portfolios◦ 1 Individual learning based analyzing student

work samples◦ 2 Video based portfolios – 1 small group; 1 whole

class (also TakeOne!)◦ 1 Professional Development; Campus &

Community Partnership

One assessment center exam typically with 6 short answer content prompt questions

NBPTS requirements

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Five Core PropositionsTeachers are committed to students and

their learningTeachers know the subjects they teach

and how to teach those subjects to students

Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning

Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience

Teachers are members of learning communities

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National Board CertificatesBased on NATIONAL Standards16 subject areas (content areas)Developmental ranges/ages25 Certificates95% teachers fit into at least one category

If you choose to submit your portfolio for scoring and achieve certification, NBCT will distinguish you as a teacher leader in the field of education. This certification is recognized and honored in every state no longer needing reciprocity or further testing!

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Good News!

Support and parallel experiences are offered to you through National

University’s

Professional Teaching Development Center (NUPTDC)

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Support Options

Online and face-to-face NB candidate orientation and support by NBCT coaches

Webinars, podcasts & other resources Virtual support environment Connect teachers of all levels and all

subject areas with current National Board Certified Teachers!

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My CHALLENGE to YOU!

Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Science in Instructional Leadership BOTH with NBPTS focus!

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Master’s Degree Options

Master of Arts in Teaching with NBC Teacher Leadership Specialization (all states)

Master of Science in Instructional Leadership-NBC Leadership

All NBC courses contribute content for the portfolio which serves as thesis

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About the Courses

Ten courses, one month each4.5 quarter units each (=3 semester units)Online delivery—24/7 accessFinancial aid available (FAFSA)First course = $550 (NB1201X)Nine courses @ $1674 per course (current tuition)With 15 students, a 15% reduction is applied on

current tuition (Nevada =20% with 12 students)

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NBC Courses ( 5 )

NBC 1201x Measuring and Informing Quality Instruction, Teaching and Leadership (overview) NBC 681 Teaching, Learning, & Membership in Learning Communities Entry 4NBC 682 Evidence of Student Learning, A: Entry 2 or 3NBC 683 Evidence of Student Learning, B: Entry 1NBC 639 Accomplished Teacher-Leadership Portfolio Capstone Project (thesis)

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Master of Arts in Teaching CORE Courses (MAT)

EDT 612 Curriculum and Design Using TechnologyMAT 641 Cultural Democracy/Social PluralismMAT 642 Program Design and Curriculum Theory MAT 643 Models of Teaching Applications and PracticeMAT 644 Foundations and Principles of Curriculum

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What Are the Advantages?

Convenient--fit your coursework around your schedule thanks to online format

Meaningful and relevant--coursework is all about YOUR teaching and YOUR classroom

Sophisticated and engaging coursework--interactive, multimedia presentation of content

Accelerated--finish your degree in approximately one year

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About our NB Cohorts

Groups of 12 or more in one programOnline delivery with optional site meetingsNBCT adjunct faculty Schedules are pre-determined to align with

pacing and submission timelines for NB portfolio work

Access to additional online support Job embedded action research

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Join this cohort that is being developed exclusively for teachers working with military –connected students! Class discussions will allow opportunity to talk to other teachers from across the nation about how to best support the unique challenges faced by military-connected students.

Military-connected Teachers, Military Personnel and Veterans and dependents--Join Our DoDEA or Military Cohort!

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Military-connected yourself? Spouse, dependent, retired, Civilian working on base? …National University offers special military rates and support just for you! Special military advisors to assist YOU with any challenges you face as a military-connected student yourself!

Military-connected Teachers, Military Personnel and Veterans and dependents--Join Our DoDEA or Military Cohort!

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Are you are ready?

Go to www.nuptdc.orgGo to the Graduate Programs tabSelect “New Cohort”DoDEA or Military Personnel, Veterans, and

DependentsMilitary or not. If you work with military-connected

students & teachers you can join this unique cohort!◦ Military Admissions:(877) 628-6828◦ Veteran’s Affairs Office:(858) 541-7970

veteransaffairs@nu.eduFollow the four steps for enrollment outlined on this

pageFebruary application deadline is January 25th!

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Source Information

Military Child Education Coalition - http://www.militarychild.org/

Common Core State Standards Initiative - http://www.corestandards.org

National Military Family Association - http://www.militaryfamily.org

AACTE American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education - http://aacte.org/

Educators Guide to the military child during deployment - http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/homefront/homefront.pdf

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children (MIC3) - http://www.mic3.net/pages/commissioners/documents/2011LegislativeResourceKit-Final.pdf

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WORK SMART--INCREASE YOUR EFFECTIVENESS!

It is our passion to serve you on your accomplished teaching, learning and leadership journey!

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