Ask Aunt Peggie
About "Aunt Peggie"
"Aunt Peggie", an expert researcher for the MCEC, serves as a trusted resource for families and educators around the world, and has answered thousands of e-mails over the years. She is a former military-connected child who attended nine schools by grade 12. Her 34 years of experience in school administration and the classroom have made her a fountain of information on all things related to military and education. Email her at peggie.watson@militarychild.org.
New Aunt Peggie Question: What does she think about Algebra I for 7th graders? [pdf]
Aunt Peggie's Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. We are scheduled to transfer to a new base this summer. How do we locate the best school for our children?
I would recommend beginning your search by using MCEC's SchoolQuest internet tool, available at www.schoolquest.org. SchoolQuest will help you find information including school contacts, academic calendars, state testing guidelines, transition advice, and much more for local schools near your selected military community. You can complete student profiles for each of your children, which results in virtual counseling advice that is particularly valuable when you are exit planning prior to your move. While you are at the SchoolQuest make sure to visit the online library as well.
In addition, you can use the MCEC Education Resource Center to link to state specific information on assessment, curriculum, special education services, home schooling, graduation requirements, and more. Through the state report card link you can find school district and school accountability information to assist you in reviewing local school performance. But, please remember, the best fit for your child is the school that matches up with your child's particular needs.
More resources are available through the Military HOMEFRONT Web site at http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/.
2. My father is active duty military. Are there any scholarships I qualify for because I am a military dependent?
Yes, there are available scholarships. First, there is the Scholarship for Military Children Program which is sponsored by military commissaries. Look for the application on the site as early as November and submit your completed application on time. http://www.militaryscholar.org/index.shtml
Next, different military units and their supporting organizations have proudly established scholarships for dependents of current personnel. Some of these scholarships may also be available to dependents of retired personnel. Ask your parent to determine if you may be able to qualify for these potential scholarships.
And remember, do not count just on scholarships for military dependents. Plan to check routinely with your high school counseling office for scholarship postings starting in late October. Your counselor is your best friend in this process, so share your interests.
Finally, do a scholarship search using a reputable search engine. Your counselor may recommend one developed/linked to your state college planning site or you may want to visit the College Board, ACT, or Princeton Review site (to mention only a few). The Military Homefront site is very helpful: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/. Look under "Troops and Families: Education", and then select "Scholarships and Financial Aid". You will see a link for "Military Students" and a list of scholarships and search engines. MCEC also has a DVD available, The Complete Guide to College Financing and Admissions.
The main thing is to start early, get organized, read all instructions, and complete forms thoroughly.
3. My daughter's birthday is after the required September 1 qualification date for kindergarten at her new school. She is qualified in our home state and I don't want her to fall behind when we go back home. What can I do?
Each state sets its own age requirements for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 enrollment. I understand it can be very frustrating to learn that even a one-day difference can mean your child will not qualify to attend a public school, but it is the state law and school policy. Ask for a copy of the school policy and any available local options or waivers. You can also look into private school options.
If you elect to enroll your child in a private school or select another local option, verify the accreditation status of the school. And make sure to ask what will happen next year when your daughter is still underage to attend first grade. You could easily be making a two-year decision.
The current state age requirements for enrollment in Kindergarten and Grade 1 for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Department of Defense schools can also be found in the MCEC publication, Getting Your Ducklings in a Row, available through the MCEC website, www.militarychild.org.
4. We are scheduled to move in January and I understand the new state's schools administer the state assessment in February. Will our children in third and fifth grade be expected to take state level tests in their new school?
Generally, children in grades three through eight who are enrolled in a public school during test time are assessed. The exceptions could be students with disabilities who cannot take the state assessments with approved accommodations, or those who are not proficient in English. Even "English as a Second Language" (ESL) students will be tested with some approved state instrument to measure academic growth and/or English proficiency.
Before a move, make sure to visit the MCEC's Education Resource Center for a list of state assessment tests and testing calendars.
5. Our son is in the Gifted and Talented program in his current school, but we will be moving soon to a new state. I have already called his new school and I was told that I must complete all these forms for screening and that he will have to be tested again! The testing is not scheduled until after school begins and this means he will miss at least two months in the correct classes. What can I do?
It is very difficult to understand how children who qualify for gifted and talented programs in one state may not qualify for equivalent programs in another state. The reason, simply stated, is states define their own programs and establish different criteria for qualifying for gifted and talented services.
Inquire as soon as possible about things you can do prior to leaving the old school that may facilitate qualifying at the new school, ask if previous assessment results may be substituted for the local requirements, and take copies of those reports. If recommendations will be needed or special forms must be completed by teachers, ask for them now so teachers who already know your child can complete them. Make sure your child has a current portfolio with original work and compositions. Exit planning is crucial to a successful school transition. Visit SchoolQuest to help create a transfer portfolio.
