Military Families
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)
Mission: Through the Interstate Compact, MIC3 addresses key educational transition issues encountered by children of military families
The Military Interstate Children's Compact (the Compact) was created in 2006 by the Council of State Governments (CSG), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense, to address the educational challenges transitioning children of military families face and create uniform treatment as military children transfer between school districts in member states.
Arizona was one of the 11 original states to adopt the Compact (A.R.S. § 15-1911). Today, the Compact has been adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- Download the MIC3 Fact Sheet
- View an MIC3 Informational Video
- Visit the Arizona Governor's Office of Education - Resources for Arizona Military Kids
| Students Covered Under the Compact | Students Not Covered Under the Compact |
Active duty members of the uniformed services, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders (Title 10) Members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year Members who die on active duty, for a period of one year after death Uniformed members of the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and United States Public Health Services (USPHS) | Inactive members of the National Guard and Reserves (Not Title 10) Members now retired not covered above Veterans not covered above Other Department of Defense personnel, federal agency civilians and contract employees not defined as active duty Members other than the uniformed personnel of NOAA and USPHS |
| Issues Covered | ||
| Enrollment | Placement & Attendance | Graduation |
Educational Records Immunizations Kindergarten & First Grade Entrance Age | Course & Educational Program Placement Special Education Services Placement Flexibility | Waiving courses required for graduation if similar coursework has been completed Flexibility in accepting state exit or end-of-course exams, national achievement tests, or alternative testing in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in receiving state Allowing a student to receive a diploma from the sending school instead of the receiving school |
What is a SLO?
School Liaison Officers (SLOs) serve as the primary point of contact for school-related matters
| Duties | Goals |
Serves as the primary point of contact for school-related matters Represents, informs, and assists Command Assists military families with school issues Coordinates with local school systems Forges partnerships between the military and schools | Identify barriers to academic success and develop solutions Promote parental involvement and educate local communities and schools regarding the needs of military children Develop and coordinate partnerships in education Provide parents with the tools they need to overcome obstacles to education that stem from the military lifestyle |
 | Davis Monthan Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base |
 | Fort Buchanan
U.S. Army Fort Huachuca
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground |
 | Marine Corps Air Station Yuma |
- MIC3 Guide for Schools/Parents (Fact Sheet)
A Military Family's Guide to School Transitions
This guide has been compiled by military spouses with decades of experience in an effort to help simplify that process
MIC3 Informational Video
Find out more about the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission with this informational video
Military Child Education Coalition
Arizona Coalition of Military Families
The Arizona Coalition for Military Families is a nationally-recognized public/private partnership focused on building Arizona’s statewide capacity to care for and support all service members, veterans and their families
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect
USO Arizona
USO Arizona works to provide morale-boosting and family-strengthening programs to Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and their families throughout Arizona
Guide for Parents, School Officials and Public Administrators
The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission deals with the challenges of military children and their frequent relocation. It allows for uniform treatment as military children transfer between school districts in member states
Compare Public Schools in Your Area
Explore the site to find details about school, district or charter holder performance, demographics, and more
Arizona Charter Schools Association's Education Evaluator
This public school map provides an easy, transparent way to research and compare schools across the state. Users can view enrollment information, student achievement data and school specific information for all of Arizona’s public schools — district and charter
Arizona School Choice
Arizona School Choice was created to help parents in Arizona navigate the many educational opportunities available to their children as they progress through grade school and beyond
PCS Moving Checklist
A comprehensive checklist created by the Military Child Education Coalition to help parents, families, and schools prepare for school moves
Sample Letter for Parent to Address Deployment Related Absences
A sample letter for parents to send to schools regarding any deployment-related abscenses
MIC3 Guide for Parent, School Officials and Public Administrators
Find information on educational transition issues encountered by children of military families & guidelines to help prepare for successful education transitions
MIC3: What Schools and Administrators Should Know
Information to help schools and administrators prepare for successful education transitions under MIC3
Education Commission Report on Assisting Children of Military Personnel
Key finding and recommendations of recent reports on assisting children of military personnel
- AASA, The School Superintedents's Association's MIC3 Fact Sheet
- MIC3
- Compact Rules
- A.R.S. § 15-1911 - Arizona State Statute regarding the terms of the Interstate Compact on educational opportunity for military children
OneOp - Readiness. Knowledge. Network
For more than 10 years, OneOp (formerly Military Families Learning Network (MLFN)) has collaborated with the Defense Department, US Department of Agriculture, and Land Grant University System to provide free and open-access resources and continuing education within a full spectrum of family service subject areas for service providers. OneOp’s programming supports DoD's Military Families Readiness System by growing the professional knowledge, readiness, and networks of service providers supporting military service members and their families.
There are 7 concentration areas: Personal Finance, Family Development and Early Intervention, Military Caregiving, Network Literacy, Nutrition and Wellness, Community Capacity Building, and Family Transitions. Each concentration area provides education and resources for professionals working with military families to build resilience and navigate life cycle transitions.
OneOp's goal is for military families to increase their self-reliance and navigate each transition more successfully than the last. The Family Transitions team encourages family service professionals to share, discuss, and collaborate on issues unique to the military family experience through this blog and other professional development opportunities.
Visit OneOp’s website, to access a variety of webinars, podcasts, blog posts, and more.
Helping Military Children Transition and Succeed
The State Council on the Education of Military Children was established to resolve the transition-related issues military families face through the coordinated efforts of Arizona's education leaders and military installation commanders. The Council provides for coordination among agencies of local government, local education agencies, and military installations concerning Arizona's participation in, and compliance with, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The Compact was created to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families due to frequent moves and deployments. The Council provides a forum for Arizona's military families to discuss the unique issues that their children face in school. The Council will provide recommendations to the Governor on ways to assist military families and their children with the goal of easing their transitions during deployments and relocations.
The Council was originally established under Executive Order in July 2012, and was renewed by Governor Ducey in March 2015 and September 2018.
Contact the Council on the Education of Military Children
- Purple Up! Toolkit
- Superintendent Hoffman's Month of the Military Child Letter of Support
Military members and families sacrifice for the security and safety of our nation, specifically military children during their K-12 careers. In April, the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) – along with many other organizations, non-profits, and public entities – will celebrate the important role of military children. Across the nation, states, communities, and schools celebrate in various ways, including wearing the color purple. This year, the Commission has selected Wednesday, April 20th as our official “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day. Arizona as a state has selected Friday, April 22nd as our “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day.
Here are some ways schools and affiliated organizaitons can show their support, and “Purple Up! For Military Kids”:
- Coordinate a month or day within your respective organizations
- Promote support through your communication channels (website, newsletters, media), State Council, stakeholders, and partners by tagging #MIC3Compact and #purpleup4militarykids
- Coordinate and/or supporting a gubernatorial proclamation designating April as the Month of the Military Child
- Attend a school district or school level event
Additional information and resources can be found in the Purple Up! Toolkit or website: https://www.mic3.net/motmc.html
Arizona is committed to military children and providing a high-quality education for all students in our public schools. Please join us in thanking our military children for their strength and sacrifice by supporting “Purple Up! For Military Kids” this month – they deserve our support!
| Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission - State Commissioner's Designee Peter C. Laing | Policy Advisor & Strategic Projects Arizona Department of Education |
