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Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

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Wisconsin became part of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children through legislation (Wis. Stat. § 14.91) that was enacted in 2010. The compact provides for the uniform treatment of military children transferring between school districts and states. The compact was developed by the Council of State Governments’ National Center for Interstate Compacts, the Department of Defense, national associations, federal and state officials, departments of education, school administrators, and military families.

Military children face many challenges including moving frequently. Most military children attend six to nine different school systems during their PK-12 educational career and will transition more than twice during their high school years. School enrollment, eligibility for academic programs, school-sponsored extracurricular activities, placement, and graduating on time can be difficult due to frequent relocations. In addition to adjusting to new cities, bases, and homes, military children also deal with making and losing friends as they frequently change schools. While the military has made great strides to support transitions for personnel and spouses, their children continue to face challenges. Educators and legislators in Wisconsin are working to minimize the negative impact on the education of military children.

In 2010, Shelley Joan Weiss was appointed as the State Commissioner to the Interstate Commission on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Wisconsin Council Members

Required Representatives

Shelley Joan Weiss, Commissioner, Chair

Samuel Russ - Superintendent of Sparta Area School District (Military Impacted Schools)

Col Stephen Messenger - Military Representative, Appointed by DoD

Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara - Legislative Representative

Derek Campbell - Executive Branch Representative

Dr. Jill Underly - Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Michael Hanson - Superintendent of Tomah Area School District (Military Impacted Schools)

Col Matthew Eakins - Military Representative

Rep. Shae Sortwell - Legislative Representative

Rebecca Walley - Wisconsin School Liaison Officer for Military Families (based at Fort McCoy)

 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Representatives

Thomas McCarthy - Executive Director for the State Superintendent

Andrea Donegan - DPI Liaison, School Counseling Consultant

Elizabeth Pease - DPI, Office Operations Associate, Student Services, Prevention & Wellness Team

Benjamin Jones - DPI Legal Counsel (Kari Race - Designated Substitute)

Kelly Behling - DPI, Executive Staff Assistant, Office of the State Superintendent

Wendy Stanislawski - DPI, Communications Team

 

Representatives from Stakeholder Groups

Joni Matthews - Director of Wisconsin Challenge Academy

JD Engelhardt - Wisconsin National Guard Youth and Child Program Executive Director

Andi Kirzan - Representative, WI Parent Teacher Association

Stephanie Hauser - Representative, Executive Director of the WIAA

Lynn Sisco - Military Family Representative

Angelica Kasputis - Communications Director for Military Impacted School District

Rebecca Boehlke - Representative, Military One Source

Stacy Eslick - Wisconsin School Counselor Association Executive Director

Steve Schroeder - AWSA/WASDA Representative to the State Council

Elizabeth Wilcox - Communications Director for Military Impacted School District

Lt Col John Wheeler - Interim Military Representative

Connie Lewis - WI Legislative Staff