New training, resources available for supporting military families and preparing for the Purple Star Award

9/18/2023

Military-connected students have unique educational experiences due to frequent relocations and parental absences caused by deployments. To assist educators with understanding the needs of military families, the Ohio Department of Education updated the Military Children in Ohio’s Schools course available in the Learning Management System and created the Military Family Liaison webpage.

One way schools can support military-connected students is to appoint a military family liaison as a primary point-of-contact for military families at the school. The course provides information on the military landscape in Ohio, legal requirements to identify military-connected students, how the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children can help remove educational barriers and strategies to help military-connected students overcome obstacles to learning. The course can be accessed through an educator’s OH|ID account.

New liaisons can complete the Military Children in Ohio’s Schools course to meet the professional development requirement of the Purple Star Award. The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military.

Applications for the Purple Star Award open Nov. 1 and close Dec. 15.

For questions about Purple Star or supporting military-connected students, contact Jason Scragg at Jason.Scragg@education.ohio.gov.