Back-to-School Toolkit

Educational Stability

Providing tools and guidance that create continuity through school transitions.

1.   MIC3  

• The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children addresses key issues encountered by military families as children transition to another school.

2.  School Liaison Program

• School liaisons assist with transition support and education-related matters pre-K through 12th grade. 

3.   Tutor.com 

• Free online tutoring and homework help 24/7 for eligible U.S. military and their families.

4.   Khan Academy

• Explore lessons for all grade levels in a variety of subjects, including practice problems.

Community & Connection

Helping military families feel supported, connected and understood. 

1.   Purple Star Schools 

• Purple Star Schools are spreading across the country as a signal of welcoming schools for military families. Families can use the Purple Star designation to identify schools that are committed to supporting military-connected students. 

2.   The Military Child Well-Being Toolkit

• Provides a variety of resources for families and professionals to support the military child’s well-being.

3.   4-H Military Partnerships

• Offers opportunities to connect and provides support to military-connected youth whether you live on or near an installation, in a civilian community, or overseas. 

4.   FOCUS: Resilience Training for Military Families

• FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) helps military couples and families thrive. 

Advocacy & Empowerment

Equipping families and educators with resources to support student success. 

1.   Military OneSource  

• Offers a wide variety of resources for military families and professionals.

2.   Military Student Consultants 

• Provide individual professional services to education professionals, parents and students to address challenges associated with the military lifestyle. To contact a Military Student Consultant, email MSC@MilitaryChild.org 

3.   Understood

• Offers free resources for families with learning and thinking differences, including how to advocate for your child.

4.   Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen  

• Created by and for military teens to highlight their experiences through content creation and community building.

Practical Support

Delivering actionable, easy-to-use resources families can immediately apply.   

1.   Parent Support Webinars   

• MCEC Parent Support workshops are available via webinar to share practical support strategies parents can use wherever they are located. We have webinars on a wide range of topics including Resilience & Facing Challenges, Children with Exceptional Needs, School & Academic Success, and more. Visit our YouTube Channel and browse our full library. 

2.   Be A Learning Hero 

• Free tools and resources including a Readiness Check and a personalized letter to introduce your child to their new teachers.

3.   Milestones 

• Access a free online collection of videos to understand grade-level expectations in grades K-12.

4.   Common Sense Media 

• Helps families check ratings, reviews, and guidance on a variety of media to make informed decisions about their children’s media and technology use.