Common Ground: Education & the Military STAFF SERGEANT EDWARD GUEVARA, Public Affairs Chief, United States Marine Corps KRISTOPHER NEKVINDA, Executive Officer, United States Marine Corps PENNY RINKER, Counselor, Moorefield High School TOMMY D. BAKER, Education Services Specialist, Beckley Recruiting Battalion MSGT ERIC CEPEK, Regional Director, United State Air Force SHELLY DEBERRY, Student Success Advocate, West Virginia Department of Education

Background in West Virginia February 2010WVDE met with Army Education Specialist Spring 2010Development of Military Recruiting Protocol May 2010Presented protocol to Army Station Commanders August 2010WV Student Success Summit October 2010Report of the NASBE Study Group on Education and the Military was released October 2010Presented protocol to school counselors in 3 regional workshops October 2010Presented protocol to the largest Army recruiting battalion in West Virginia November 2010WV Board of Education created sub-committee

WV State Board Committee Consist of: 3 state board members Representatives from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, WV National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, Operation Military Kids, WV Parent Teacher Association and WVDE staff. Agendas: Legislative recommendation to join Interstate Compact on Education for Military Students (SB 189) ASVAB testing be available in all high schools Approval of Military Recruiting Protocol Development of MOU

Common Ground: Report Key Report Takeaways: Approximately 7 in every 10 Americans between the ages of 17 – 24 are ineligible to enter military service because: they are either physically unfit (including being overweight or obese) have criminal records have not graduated from high school Military programs manage to succeed where others fail because of their attention to a holistic approach to student education and development.

Report Recommendations State boards should promote the importance: of developing strategic partnerships that can benefit the development of all students into productive and responsible citizens. Study group urges state and local education agencies to: take advantage of possible educational partnerships with all branches of the armed services. State boards should leverage their authority over: state school counseling mandates, guidance counselor certification requirement, and school counseling programs so that counselors can better inform students and parents about evidence-supported education programs and strategies, including military-themed/generated programs, as well as help them create a postsecondary plan that examines all options: work, college or the military.

Panel Discussion

Operation Military Kids Help create networks of people, organizations and other resources to help support military children. Help children better understand and cope with military life, family member deployment and reintegration, as well as the unique challenges facing their families. Offer a wide array of recreational, social and educational programs for military youth living in civilian communities. Educate and increase community awareness of the impact of the deployment cycle. HB Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Provide program information and appoint project officer/mentor when appropriate. Provide materials to gain student interest in the program. Provide instructor guides, lesson plans, activity books and other program resources at no cost. Provide student membership with textbooks, uniforms and additional training materials. Provide FBI background checks on all adult members at no cost. WV Wing Civil Air Patrol

WV State Board of Education Ensure that every student will have the opportunity to take the ASVAB test in their school or a school nearby, for the purpose of career assessment, exploration and development. Create a communication plan to educate students, parents, faculty, administration and community members about the intent, purpose and benefits of this MOU.

WV Parent Teacher Association Provide education and resources to its members of students, parents, faculty, administration and community members about the positive supports, including career development and tutoring services, available through military personnel through bulletin articles and displays/materials at WV PTA conventions. Help to create networks of people, organizations, and other resources to help support military children. Support and encourage all efforts to make available career and mentoring programs to all students in West Virginia provided through this MOU. Educate and increase community awareness of the impact of the deployment cycle on service members, families, kids, and the community as a whole

Resources Available Partners in Education Career Mentors Guard Fit Challenge Humvee School Program YOU CAN School Program GED Plus About Face Forward March Youth Challenge Drug Demand Reduction PaYS ConAP ASVAB Career Exploration March 2 Success Tutorial ASVAB test preparation Planning for Life Entertainment Team Educator Tours Civil Air Patrol Classroom Presentations

Questions?

Next Steps Educating educators, military personnel, parents and students about the benefits of the Common Ground Initiatives.

Additional Resources WV School Protocol Common Ground:Education and the Military WV School Protocol Common Ground:Education and the Military US Army High School Program Guide Common Ground: Education and the Military Meeting the Needs of Students ( The NASBE report ) Common Ground: Education and the Military Meeting the Needs of Students

COMMON GOAL: High School Graduation College and Career Ready Every school-day in America, 171 school buses loaded with children leave school never to return. That is our daily dropout rate. Quoted by Franklin Schargel in his book: "Helping Students Graduate, published by: Eye on Education. 6,911 students are expected to leave West Virginia schools this year without earning a high school diploma (Education Week Diplomas Count 2010)

Contact Information Shelly DeBerry Student Success Advocate West Virginia Department of Education