DCVPA recognizes the unique circumstances faced by children of military families who are often required to transfer to a new school because their parents or guardians have a new military assignment. DCVPA also recognizes that children whose immediate family members are deployed by the military may be at increased risk of emotional, psychological, or other harm. DCVPA is committed to supporting these children in the school and undertaking to serve their unique needs.
A. Identification of Military-Connected Students
Each principal shall annually identify all military-connected students enrolled in the school and shall develop a means for serving their unique needs. For purposes of this section, a military-connected student is defined as a student who has a parent, step-parent, sibling, or any other person who resides in the same household serving in the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or National Guard.
The identification of military-connected students is not a public record subject to public records law.
B. Compliance with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
In order to promote flexibility and cooperation among the school, parents and guardians, and children of military families, to promote the children's well-being, and to assist these children in achieving educational success in their new schools, the Dean or his or her designee shall adopt procedures necessary to ensure compliance with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (hereinafter "Compact") and to educate employees about the unique needs of children of military families.
1. Definitions
The following definitions apply to all policies and procedures adopted in compliance with the Compact.
- Active Duty
Active duty is full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 12301 et seq. and 10 U.S.C. 12401 et seq.
- Children of Military Families
Children of military families are school-aged children, enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade, in the household of an active duty member.
- Deployment
Deployment is the period one month prior to the service members' departure from their home station on military orders though six months after their return to their home station.
- Education Records
Education records are those official records, files and data directly related to a student and maintained by the school, including but not limited to records encompassing all the material kept in the student's cumulative folder, such as general identifying data, records of attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievement and results of evaluative tests, health data, disciplinary status, test protocols, and individualized education programs.
- Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are voluntary activities sponsored by the school or school or an organization sanctioned by the school. Extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities.
- Member State
A member state is a state that has enacted the Compact.
- Non-Member State
A non-member state is a state that has not enacted the Compact.
- Receiving State
The receiving state is the state to which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.
- Rule
A rule is a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Article XII of the Compact that is of general applicability, implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision of the Compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the Interstate Commission, and has the force and effect of rules promulgated under the Administrative Procedures Act as found in Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes, and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.
- Sending State
The sending state is the state from which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to besent or brought.
- Student
The student is the child of a military family for whom the school receives public funding and who is formally enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
- Transition
The transition is (1) the formal and physical process of transferring from school to school or (2) the period of time in which a student moves from one school in the sending state to another school in the receiving state.
- Uniformed Services
The uniformed services are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Services.
- Veteran
A veteran is a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
2. Those to Whom Adopted Policies and Procedures Apply
Policies and procedures that are adopted to comply with the Compact apply to the children of:
- active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in section A of this policy, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 12301 et seq. and 10 U.S.C. 12401 et seq.;
- members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after medical discharge or retirement; and
- members of uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one year after death.
3. Those to Whom Adopted Policies and Procedures Do Not Apply
The policies and procedures adopted to comply with the Compact do not apply to the children of:
- inactive members of the National Guard and Military Reserves;
- members of the uniformed services now retired, except as provided in section B of this policy; and
- veterans of the uniform services, except as provided in section B of this policy, and other U.S. Department of Defense personnel, and other federal agency civilians and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.
Issued: July 12, 2018
