Military Family Resources

Understanding military terminology can help educators, families, and community members better support military-connected students. Below is a list of commonly used military terms and acronyms, along with their definitions, to provide clarity and context.

Navigating education and support services can be complex for military-connected families. This section provides key contacts and resources to help families, educators, and school staff access the support they need, from counseling and school enrollment to academic standards and special education services. Whether you're seeking guidance during a transition or looking for long-term support, these tools are here to help.

📞 Key Contacts for Military Family Support

• Child and Youth Behavioral Military Family Life Counselors, CYB-MFLC | Provide free, confidential, non-medical counseling to children and family members of active duty, National Guard, Reserve, DoD civilians, and school staff. Available on military installations and some public school campuses. Contact your School Liaison Officer or school campus to check availability.
• Military Liaison Counselors | Located in select Texas school districts, these counselors support military families by partnering with installations, schools, and community agencies to assist with transitions and outreach.
• School Liaisons | Based on military installations, School Liaisons assist families from all service branches with school transitions, system navigation, and educational resources. They also collaborate with school and community leaders to support military-connected students.

🏫 Texas Education Agency (TEA) Resources

• AskTED | AskTED is an online directory of Texas schools, including charters. The directory primary is primarily used by people seeking contact information for schools, districts, and education service centers.
• Free Prekindergarten Eligibility | Children of active duty, activated/mobilized Guard or Reserve members, or those MIA may qualify for free Pre-K in Texas. More information: Early Childhood Education FAQs | Texas Education Agency, TEC §29.153(b)
• Student Assessment Division | The TEA Student Assessment Division oversees all state-required standardized student testing, including the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) program.
• TEA Performance Reporting | Descriptive reports are available on every school district, campus, and charter school in Texas. The reports includes data on Texas school accountability ratings.
• Texas Graduation Requirements |Outlines the pathways and requirements for earning a Texas high school diploma.
• Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) | Curriculum standards detailing what students should know and be able to do by grade and subject.

🧩 Special Education Resources

• The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) | Available on military installations, EFMP supports families with special needs by helping them navigate ARD, IEP, and 504 processes.
• EFMP + Special Needs | National Military Family Association (NMFA) | NMFA provides additional information and resources on the Exceptional Family Member Program for military families with special needs family members.
• TEA Special Education Department | Offers guidance and support for special education services in Texas.
• SPEDTX.org | A TEA-supported information center for parents, educators, and advocates of students with disabilities.

🌐 Information Hubs & External Resources

• Military One Source | DoD-funded program offering free support and information on military life.
• U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) | Provides outreach and academic support for military-connected students.
• Military Impacted Schools Association | A national network of superintendents from districts with large military populations.
• Texas Veterans Portal | Centralized access to veteran benefits, education, employment, and health services.
• National Military Family Association (NMFA)| A nonprofit organization that offers scholarships, camps, and retreats for military families.
• Military Rank Insignias | Military rank insignia represent levels of leadership and responsibility within the armed forces, distinct from paygrades, which are used to standardize compensation across enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer roles.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), in partnership with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), is proud to present this video series designed to support military-connected students, families, and educators across Texas. This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to fostering welcoming, responsive, and well-informed educational environments that recognize the unique experiences of military families. Through these videos, TEA and MCEC aim to empower educators and families with practical insights, resources, and strategies that promote academic success, emotional well-being, and strong school-community connections for every military-connected child.

The series is organized into four key topics, with each topic featuring two videos: one tailored for educators and the other for families, ensuring relevant and practical guidance for both audiences. (Videos released 10/10/2025)

Military Culture and Lifestyles

This video series offers a dual perspective on the lived experiences of military-connected families and the role educators play in supporting them. From the family viewpoint, the video highlights how frequent relocations and deployments shape traditions, values, and daily routines, revealing the resilience and adaptability that define military life. The educator-focused video complements this by emphasizing the importance of understanding these cultural dynamics, including mobility and service-related stress, to create welcoming and responsive learning environments. Together, these videos foster deeper empathy and awareness, encouraging stronger connections between schools and military families.

👉 Watch now: Military Culture and Lifestyle - Family and Educator

Military Families Relocating to Texas

This video series offers practical guidance and emotional support for military-connected families and educators navigating school transitions. Families share personal experiences of relocating to Texas, offering tips on preparing children for change, accessing school resources, and building new community connections. Educators gain strategies to welcome new students, maintain academic continuity, and foster trust with families facing frequent moves. Together, these perspectives highlight the importance of collaboration and understanding in creating smooth, supportive transitions for military-connected students.

👉 Watch now: Military Families Relocating to Texas - Family and Educator

Military Connected Students with Exceptional and Special Needs

This video series highlights the experiences and needs of exceptional children within military families, offering insights for both families and educators. Families share personal stories of advocacy and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of accessing support systems like the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and navigating educational and healthcare services. Educators learn best practices and strategies to support students with special needs, collaborate effectively with families, and leverage military-specific resources to ensure comparable access to learning and development. Together, these perspectives promote a shared commitment to meeting the unique needs of exceptional learners in military communities.

👉 Watch now: Military Connected Students with Exceptional and Special Needs - Family and Educator

Supporting Military Families

This video series highlights the vital role of schools and communities in supporting military-connected families. Families share how emotional wellness, parent engagement, and access to resources contribute to stability and student success. Educators are guided in building strong, culturally sensitive relationships with families through effective communication and collaboration. Together, these perspectives emphasize the power of partnership in creating nurturing environments where students and caregivers feel valued and supported.

👉 Watch now: Supporting Military Families - Family and Educator

This section provides targeted programs and support services for dependents of National Guard members, Texas Military Forces, and veterans. From youth development and educational opportunities to family support and veteran resources, these offerings are designed to meet the unique needs of military-connected individuals across Texas.

🛡️ National Guard & Reserve Resources

• STARBASE®- A Department of Defense Youth Program | The second-largest DoD-funded STEM program in the U.S., STARBASE focuses on enhancing science, technology, engineering, and math skills for at-risk students in grades 5–8. Texas locations: Camp Mabry (Austin), Goodfellow AFB, Ellington Field (Houston), and Lackland AFB.
• Texas National Guard Youth Program | Offers leadership training, college prep, youth symposiums, camps, family events, and service opportunities for youth connected to Texas Military Forces.
• Texas ChalleNGe Academy | A 17.5-month National Guard educational program for at-risk youth ages 16–18. Students gain life skills, discipline, and academic credits toward a diploma or GED.
• Texas Military Department | Comprises the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard.
• Texas Military Department Family Support Services | Provides a continuum of care for service members and their families during deployment and sustainment operations.

🎖️ Veteran Family Resources

• Sesame Street in Communities - Veterans and Changes | Offers videos and tools to help children understand and cope with a parent's transition from military to civilian life.
• Texas Veterans Commission | Oversees programs related to claims, education, employment, grants, and healthcare advocacy for veterans.
• Texas Veterans Portal | Centralized access to information on veteran benefits, education, employment, and health services.
• TexVet | A trusted source for information and resources tailored to Texas veterans and their families.

Military-connected students benefit from more than just academic support; they thrive when given opportunities to grow socially, emotionally, and creatively. This section highlights programs and activities that foster leadership, resilience, connection, and personal development outside the classroom. These resources are designed to help military youth build community, express themselves, and navigate the unique challenges of military life.

🌱 Youth Development & Enrichment Programs

• 4-H Military Partnerships | A nationwide initiative that provides military-connected youth with consistent, positive youth development experiences. Through hands-on learning, leadership training, and community engagement, 4-H helps young people thrive despite the challenges of military life.

Educators and school leaders play a vital role in supporting military-connected students. This section offers professional development opportunities, data tools, and additional resources to help educators better understand the unique needs of these students and implement effective support strategies. From training programs to data reporting guidance, these tools are designed to build capacity and promote equity in education for military families.

🎓 Professional Learning Opportunities

• Military Child Education Coalition - Professional Development Opportunities | MCEC® offers training for educators and professionals on topics such as school transitions, deployment, and social-emotional support for military and veteran-connected students.
• Military Interstate Children's Commission Compact (MIC3) | The Compact 101 Training provides participants with a brief history of how the Compact began followed by an overview of the legal requirements applicable to public and DoDEA schools educating military-connected children. MIC3 Compact Training Flyer
• School Liaisons | School Liaisons can provide customized training and support to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) near military installations. TEA encourages collaboration with School Liaisons to enhance services for military-connected students.
• Purple Star Rise (TEALearn) | A self-paced course designed to introduce educators to the PSCD framework and best practices.
• Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State | Free, self-paced professional development series helps school personnel better understand and support military-connected students. Each brief (10–15 minute) module includes practical strategies, downloadable tools, and a certificate of completion.

📊 PEIMS & Military Student Identifier (MSI) Resources

• **DATA Report** Military-Connected Student Identifier (MSI) Infographics Resource (Updated June 2025) | This one-pager provides guidance for schools on collecting military-connected student information for PEIMS. and includes updated data regarding number of military-connected students in Texas (2023-24 PEIMS data).
• **DATA Report** Statewide (Texas) Military Student Identifier Data Report (2024) | The Agency has developed a data report using 2022, 2023, and 2024 Fall Snapshot PEIMS data (C197) as an opportunity for state and regional partners to gain understanding of statewide and regional data trends regarding Military-Connected Student and Purple Star Campus Designation. The data report provides high-level information regarding the Texas Military Student Identifier (MSI) 2024, including overall statewide counts and trends of military connected students by MSI type, ESC Region, and information on Purple Star Campus Designation (PSCD).
• Military Student Identifier FAQs | Explains the ESSA requirement for identifying students with active-duty military parents and how this data supports educational outcomes.
• PEIMS Code Table C197 | The Texas Student Data System (TSDS) PEIMS Data Standards (TWEDS) provides a breakdown of the military-connected student indicator codes and their descriptions.
• Student Program and Special Population Reports | Access MSI totals by region, district, or campus.
• Understanding the Military Student Identifier and Impact Aid (Podcast January 2024) | A brief discussion on why MSI data is collected, how it’s used, and how it helps direct resources to military-connected students.

🌐 Websites & Additional Resources

• Department of Defense (DoD) - Month of the Military Child | April is designated as the Month of the Military Child. Purple Up Day (typically April 15) honors the strength and resilience of military-connected children.
• Military K-12 Partners: A DoDEA Educational Partnership Program | Since 2009, DoDEA has awarded over $400 million in grants to support academic achievement and professional development in military-impacted districts. Texas received $2.35 million in FY 2017.
• Tutor.com | Free, 24/7 online tutoring and homework help for eligible military families, covering subjects like math, science, writing, and test prep.

While the Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not oversee post-secondary education, there are numerous programs and benefits available to support military-connected students, service members, and their families in pursuing higher education. The resources below are organized by audience to help you quickly find the information and support you need.

🎓 Students

• Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation | Scholarships and educational counseling for children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
• Education Benefits for Survivors and Dependents | Veterans Affairs | VA education benefits for eligible dependents of veterans.
• Folds of Honor Foundation | Scholarships for spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members.
• Hazlewood Act (Legacy) | Texas Veterans Commission | Tuition exemption for eligible dependent children of Texas veterans.
• Taps for Tuition | Texas Veterans Commission | Tuition assistance for surviving dependents of Texas service members.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) | Support and educational resources for families of fallen military members.
• Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits | Veterans Affairs | Information on transferring GI Bill benefits to dependents.

🪖 Service Members

• Education Resources | Texas Veterans Commission | Overview of education benefits and services for Texas veterans.
• Hazlewood Act (Veterans) | Texas Veterans Commission | Tuition exemption for eligible Texas veterans.
• Military Education Benefits User's Guide | Military.com | Comprehensive guide to military education benefits.
• Military Education & Employment Benefits | Military OneSource | Resources for continuing education and career advancement.
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty | Education benefits for active-duty service members.
• Montgomery GI Bill Select Reserve | Benefits for members of the Reserve and National Guard.
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) | Texas Veterans Commission | Earn while you learn through approved OJT programs.
• Post-9/11 GI Bill | Veterans Affairs | Education benefits for veterans who served after September 10, 2001.
• Texas Teacher Certification Fee Waivers | Waivers for eligible veterans pursuing teacher certification in Texas.

💼 Spouses

• Education and Career Guidance for Military Spouses | Military OneSource | Personalized support for education and career planning.
• Hazlewood Act (Spouse/Dependent) | Texas Veterans Commission | Tuition exemption for eligible spouses and dependents.
• MyCAA Scholarship | Financial assistance for spouses pursuing licenses, certifications, or associate degrees.
• National Military Family Association Scholarships | Scholarships for military spouses to advance their education.
• Texas Teacher Certification Fee Waivers | Fee waivers for spouses seeking teacher certification in Texas.

Military-connected students often face unique challenges related to frequent school moves and parental deployment. This section provides educators and parents with practical tools, guidance, and resources to help students navigate these transitions with stability, support, and success. Whether you're preparing for a move or supporting a child during deployment, these resources are designed to ease the journey and foster resilience.

🚸 Student Transition Support

For Educators

• Education Revolution - Advocacy Booklet | National Military Family Association (NMFA) | A guide to understanding school transition challenges and how educators can support military-connected students.
• Educator Resources - Student Transition | Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) | Includes a comprehensive model for student transitions, with toolkits, templates, and checklists for teachers, counselors, and administrators.
• HB 1597 FAQ | Explains how military orders can establish residency for school enrollment under Texas Education Code §25.001.

For Parents

• A Military Parent's Guide to School Policies and Transitions | Practical advice for navigating school systems and advocating for your child.
• A Military Family’s Guide to School Transitions | Helps families prepare for and manage frequent school moves.
• Empowering the Military Teen | Bloom | A creative platform by and for military teens to share experiences and connect.
• Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) | Offers webinars, videos, and downloadable guides for families and educators. MCEC Quick Checklist for School Moves and MCEC Parents Page
• Parent Guide | Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) | Breaks down the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
• Parents Advocacy Booklet | National Military Family Association (NMFA) | Helps parents understand their rights and advocate for their child’s education.
• Purple Star School Locator | TXSchools.gov | Find Purple Star Designated campuses in your area.
• SchoolQuest | A free online tool to help families manage school transitions and access resources.
• Texas Department of Health Immunization Branch  | Information on immunization requirements for school enrollment.
• Webinar: Easing Transition - What Every Parent Should Know | A helpful session for parents preparing for school changes.

🎖️ Deployment Support

For Educators

• Educator's Guide to Military Child During Deployment | Offers strategies for supporting students emotionally and academically during a parent’s deployment.
• Traumatic Grief in Military Children: Information for Educators | From the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, this guide addresses the emotional needs of students experiencing loss or trauma.

For Parents

• Deployment | National Military Family Association | Comprehensive support for families preparing for, experiencing, or recovering from deployment.
• Deployment Tips for Families | Practical advice for maintaining family stability and communication during deployment.
• Supporting Children and Youth During Deployment | Guidance on recognizing and responding to children’s emotional needs during a parent’s absence.