Education resources for military kids
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Scroll down for more information about:
Contests
Homework & schoolwork resource websites
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) resources
Military Families for High Standards
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
Reading resources
Rosetta Stone language learning free for military
SAT/ACT preparation programs
Scholarships for military kids
School locator
State education resources
Tutoring
Virtual high school
Books
ASYMCA Art and Essay Contest
Co-sponsored by GEICO, the annual Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest allows children to express their military lifestyle and serves to remind us of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform, and their families, make each day for our country. Entries for the art contest depict the theme, “My Military Family” or "My Day at the ASYMCA," while the essay's theme is either "My greatest challenge as a military child has been..." or "How the Armed Services YMCA helped me."
The contest is officially launched every November and is open to all eligible children of U.S. active duty or retired service members. Winners of both the art and essay contests are announced in April and have their winning entries displayed at 34 Armed Services YMCA branch and affiliate locations, as well as military bases worldwide during Military Family Month each November.
Winners also receive special Apple brand product prize to help military children create and express themselves.
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
Call for the Arts Contest "The Call for the Arts" (end of Jan.)
For almost 20 years, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) has diligently confronted the challenges of school transitions, mobility, and the separation military families face. Visual arts and writing allow military children to communicate pride in their parents, celebrate their military-connected lives and acknowledge their grief and worry through art. Since MCEC began the “Call for the Arts” in 2002, thousands of military children - from all over the world, from every service, of all ages - have mailed us their drawings, poems, and interpretations of what it means to be a military child.
VFW Patriots Pen Writing Contest (Nov. 1, 2018)
The Patriot's Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.
The deadline for the 2018-2019 program is November 1, 2018. The theme for 2018-2019 is: “Why I Honor the American Flag.”
Students can ask a teacher or youth group leader to supervise their progress in the competition. Then students can contact a local participating VFW Post and established a contact person who is a member of that Post or its Ladies Auxiliary.
"Essays must be no less than 300 words and cannot exceed 400 words and should be submitted to the Post, along with the completed Patriot's Pen entry form no later than the November 1 deadline.
VFW Voice of Democracy (Nov. 1, 2018)
Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.
The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program (VOD) in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles.
The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each (state) VFW Department wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 (on the Nov. 1 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. The 2018-2019 theme is: "Why My Vote Matters."
Military OneSource online libraries
The Military OneSource Online Libraries have something for everyone. From children's audiobooks to career preparation exams, these free resources are available from the comfort of your home computer.
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) resources
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
The work of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. A non-profit, world-wide organization, the MCEC performs research, develops resources, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and develops and publishes resources for all constituencies.
Some programs include:
- Ask Aunt Peggie
- Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards
- Parent to Parent
- Purple Star Schools
- Student 2 Student and Junior Student 2 Student
- MCEC Military Student Transition Consultants (MSTC)
- The Call for the Arts
- Tell Me A Story (TMAS)
- Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program
Military Families for High Standards
Military Families for High Standards
Military Families for High Standards advocates for rigorous academic standards in K-12 education. Moving an average of six to nine times throughout their child’s K-12 career, military families are often faced with the consequences of inconsistent standards – having to catch their students up to grade level in a new state, or watch them struggle to sit through material they’ve already learned. As a spouse-led initiative, we advocate for high academic standards that limit the hardships faced by military students.
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)
Military families move between postings on a regular basis, and while reassignments can often be a boon for career personnel, they can be difficult for the children of military families. 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.
Reading resources
Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.
Reach Out and Read presents a unique opportunity to support and strengthen military families with young children. Reach Out and Read helps parents understand developmental stages, build routines which reassure children, and develop skills and knowledge that are essential for families being tested by multiple deployments, separation, and reintegration. Reading aloud to children is a proven technique in helping to cope with stress and anxiety.
Tumble Book for Beginning Readers (Ages 4-12)
This online library of animated, talking, picture books helping kids learn to read, build vocabulary, and have fun.
Tumble Book Cloud Junior (Grade level 2-6)
An online collection of ebooks and read-along chapter books, graphic novels, educational videos, and audio books designed specifically for elementary and middle school age children. All books are available with unlimited access, all the time, from any device with an Internet connection.
An online collection of read-along titles for elementary, middle school, and high school students.
Tumblebook Cloud for Teens (Grade level 7-12)
An online collection of ebooks and read-along chapter books, graphic novels, educational videos, and audio books designed for teens and preteens. All books are available with unlimited access, all the time, from any device with an Internet connection.
Rosetta Stone language learning free for military
Did you know that military and their dependents have access to FREE language learning through Rosetta Stone? All you have to do is create a library account through your local on-post library. You may have to go to your library or call to start the process.
After you create your account and pin, go to the library web page and log in, then click on "online resources" and scroll down to find the link for Rosetta Stone. You'll then click the link to set up an account with Rosetta Stone. Each time you access the site, you'll have to go through the same process by logging into the library web site first, then clicking the Rosetta Stone link but it's SO worth it. Especially if you're planning on making an OCONUS PCS. The site also tracks your progress so that you don't have to guess where you left off each time.
This is likely a temporary offer, because the language learning offered by the military sometimes changes.
SAT/ACT preparation programs
e-Knowledge
eKnowledge, a group of NFL players, and the Department of Defense have teamed up to distribute more than $16,500,000 of eKnowledge's SAT/ACT PowerPrep™ Programs to military service members and their families. While the program is free, there is a nominal student fee.
Khan Academy
For the first time ever, the creators of the SAT have given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for anyone, anywhere.
These tools are free and available now for every student to take ownership of their learning and their future.
Scholarships for military kids
2018 Military Children’s Scholarship Handbook (free)
A college degree has become the essential tool to unlock doors for future success. This handbook contains all the latest information about getting a college degree, including: types of higher education, resources for finding the right college, entrance exams, financial aid resources, paying for college, applying for federal student aid, Pell Grants, Direct and Federal Family Education Loans, PLUS loans, Consolidation loans, Federal Work-Study Program, ROTC, U.S. Armed Forces and more.
Search for scholarships with Scholarships for Service
Scholarships for Service is a free public resource for students of families with a military service background to search and access thousands of scholarship options. Every scholarship listed here is specifically tailored for active, guard and reserve military, veterans, retired personnel or their families.
This list below is a list compiled separately by Operation We Are Here (previous to the creation of the Scholarships for Service listed above). Also be sure to check with your local installation for potential scholarships:
- Commissary
- AAFES
- Thrift Store
- Spouse's Club
- Your unit
- Your installation Credit Union
Here are some other helpful links:
School locator
SchoolQuest
Find any public – and many private – schools or districts in the U.S. You can also find Department of Defense schools for military installations overseas.
State Education Resources - Schoolquest
Welcome to the State Education Resources. This section is a compilation of resources in one location for all fifty states, DoDEA, and Washington, D.C. It provides information about state school requirements and resources by each individual state, or you can identify specific resource areas that you wish to research in one or more states. Resource areas include the following:
Assessment Testing-Calendar; Assessment Testing-Overview; Assessment Testing-Results; Assessment Testing-Samples; Counselors; Curriculum and State Standards; Department of Education Links; District and Campus Directories; ESL/Bilingual Education; Gifted/Talented; Graduation/Promotion Requirements; No Child Left Behind; Parents; Planning for College; Preschool/Kindergarten; Special Education; State/District/Campus Report Card; Students; Alternative Education-Charter Schools; Alternative Education-Home Schooling; Alternative Education/Virtual Schools; and Other Information.
Tutoring
Free Military Child Tutoring (New Jersey)
Our goal is to provide free tutoring services for military children in the Southern New Jersey area.
Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families
This program is funded by the Department of Defense MWR Library Program, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and Navy General Library Program.
Get homework and studying help from a professional tutor any time you need it. FREE for students in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard and Reserve families. Expert tutors are online 24/7 and available to help in more than 16 subjects, including test prep, proofreading, Math, Science, English and Social Studies.
Operation Hero (ASYMCA)
One of ASYMCA’s keystone programs is Operation Hero, a program that aids children from six to 12 years of age who are experiencing temporary difficulty in school, both socially and academically. Often these difficulties are caused by frequent moves and family disruption due to deployments. Referred by teachers, parents or school officials, the semester-long program provides after-school tutoring and mentoring assistance in a small group with certified teachers. Operation Hero facilitates a positive environment, encourages responsible behavior, and gets children back on track in school, both academically and socially.
Virtual high school
DoDEA Virtual High School
Welcome to the DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS). Our vision is to prepare our students to live, learn, work and serve the public good in a digital, global society through engaging, synchronous and asynchronous instruction. As part of our mission to provide exemplary educational programs that inspire and prepare students for success in a global environment, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Virtual High School has offered a variety of distance learning courses including advanced placement since 1986. In 2010, the DVHS became a fully-accredited high school by AdvancED.
The online courses in the DoDEA Virtual High School have the same level of rigor and adhere to the same standards of the traditional DoDEA curriculum. The DVHS online courses provide an additional benefit of preparing students for success in the 21st Century environment by developing proficiency in information age technologies.
Books
Benita Koeman of Operation We Are Here is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you purchase a product that is linked to Amazon, I earn a small commission which in turn helps me to continue with my mission of providing resources to the military community and military supporters. Learn more...
Copyright 2008 - 2022 Benita Koeman, Operation We Are Here. All rights reserved.
Operation We Are Here is a HUB of RESOURCES for the military community and military supporters.
Military support is not a concept to embrace; military support is sacrificial action. Visit our military support TOOLKIT.
Seasons of My Military Student
Practical ideas for parents and teachers
Authors: Amanda Trimillos and Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman
Copyright @ 2018
Military-connected students move frequently, changing schools as many as nine times from preschool to high school graduation. With each move, they adjust to a different curriculum, meet new teachers and coaches, adapt to a new learning environment, and develop new friendships--all amid other military life challenges, such as a parent's deployment.
Seasons of My Military Student helps parents and teachers:
- Understand the Seasons of Transition and the storms of military life that impact a student's education
- Employ key provisions of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
- Create an effective portable Seasons Education Binder
- Work together as a team to support a student from grade to grade and school to school
The Military Parent's Complete Guide to Public, Private, and Charter Schools
Everything you need to know to make the right decision for your child
Author: Frederick A. Birkett Ed. M, Copyright @ 2013
When moving to a new duty station, finding the right school for a child’s academic needs is often a worrying and stressful task. However, a new book written by a renowned U.S. educator provides military parents with a complete guide to public, private and charter schools. In short, it’s everything they need to make the right choice for their children.
Be sure to check out these ADDITIONAL resources:
Resources for supporters of military and veteran families
- Practical insights in caring for
Military and veteran family resources
- Christian encouragement
- Deployment support for
- Downloads and printables
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