Child and Youth Education Services School Liaison Officers

CYES and the School Liaison Officer An Introduction for Parents

Fast Facts: 1.2 million American children have at least one parent serving on active military duty.

There are approximately 20,000 active duty dual military families with children. Fast Facts:

The average military child will experience six to nine transitions during his K-12 school years.

Fast Facts: Providing a good education for the children of service members is one of the quality of life issues that affect military readiness and retention.

Fast Facts: A military family can be moved with as little as thirty day’s notice.

Fast Facts: A average military family moves every 2.9 years. Often a move can include not only a new home and friends, but a new climate, new language, and new school requirements.

In addition to the many other concerns and burdens that military children have to deal with, transitioning from school to school can present numerous challenges. School Transitions :

Things are different from location to location. Graduation Requirements Immunization Requirements Kindergarten Entrance Age School Calendars Entrance and Exit Testing Course Content and Sequencing Attendance and Discipline Regulations Scheduling (block-scheduling, year-round school, 2 vs. 3 semesters…) Gifted and Special Education Qualification and Services English as a Second Language Services Extracurricular Eligibility National Membership Requirements (i.e. selected for National Honor Society in one school does not necessarily guarantee membership in another school)

Some Problems with Transitioning Mid-semester transfer (often makes consistency of learning very difficult) Transfer of records Appropriate placement –loss of grade status Educators unaware of implications of military lifestyle Meeting new friends & missing old friends Adjusting to a new place/culture (“fitting in”) Missing club and sports tryouts

Transitions can most adversely affect high school students Credit transfer Grading scales Block versus semester schedules In-state tuition and admissions issues Scholarship eligibility High School exit exams Graduation requirements Grade status requirements Loss of “reputation” earned Differing course offerings Eligibility for extra curricular activities Eligibility for academic programs Missed tryouts

School Liaison Officer [SLO] SLOs serve as “links” between Navy families and schools on all major Navy installations. SLOs specialize in serving military families and offer a wide spectrum of services enabling families to become more involved in their child’s educational experience.

School Liaison Officers’ Core Services: 1. School Transition Services (PCS Cycle) 2. Deployment Support 3. Special Needs System Navigation 4. Installation, School and Community Communications 5. Partnerships in Education (PIE) 6. Home School Linkage and Support 7. Post-Secondary Preparation

1.a School Liaison Officers Work with Schools to Ease Transitions  Partner with districts to implement best practices that level the playing field for mobile military children  Provide training opportunities for educators to assist children in transition  Connect schools to command and the military community  Facilitate ambassador and newcomer programs

1.b School Liaison Officers Work with Families to Ease Transitions  Provide information  Assist parents in becoming better advocates for their children  Connect families to resources  Assist with registration challenges

2. Deployment Support  Provide training opportunities for teachers  Facilitate programs to connect schools, children, and deployed sailors  Educate parents about resources and practices that help children cope with separations  Facilitate Military Family Life Consultant program in local schools

3. Special Needs System Navigation  Serve as a link between EDIS, EFMP, Schools, Parents, and Command  Provide resource information for families of special needs children  Educate families about the IEP Process  Teach parents how to better advocate for their special needs child

4. Installation, School, and Community Communications  Act as primary advisor to Command on matters relating to schools  Serve as installation subject matter expert for Youth Education, Transition, K-12 School, and Deployment issues  Inform and advise commanders and parents on student education issues  Link schools with installation resources and support  Provide support and assistance to families with school concerns

5. Partnerships in Education PIE creates a volunteer network of resources to support installation and community members who have a vested interest in the success of all youth.

6. Home School Linkage and Support  Help home school families indentify local support groups, opportunities, and activities  Provide resources with information on local laws regulations and policies on home schooling  Serve as a link between home school families and base agencies

7. Post-Secondary Preparation  Provide high school students access to resources and information on scholarships and in-state admission and tuition eligibility  Share information on military specific scholarships and opportunities with school guidance counselors and students  Support high school career and college events  Share SAT/ACT resources

What a School Liaison Officer is NOT:  Not a school employee  Not a police officer  Not a school superintendent  Not a doctor  Not a lawyer  Not a Service Member

When do I contact the School Liaison Officer?

Prior to Your Arrival The SLO will provide you with education information for your new installation, answer your questions, help with enrollment challenges and help pave your way to a SMOOOTH transition!! CONTACT THE SLO

While Stationed at the Installation Contact the SLO for assistance with problems at school, scholarship info, special needs, home schooling, etc. CONTACT THE SLO

When Preparing to Depart Contact local SLO for information and resources that will help you prepare for your move Access NEW SLO at next duty station to get school information BEFORE you depart CONTACT THE SLO

How Do I Find My School Liaison Officer?  For a worldwide listing of Navy School Liaison Officers go to  For duty at other branch of service installations, contact a Regional Navy SLO for local SLO information or go to

QUESTIONS