The School Administrator's Guide for Supporting Students from Military Families

While it is true that children from military families live unique and interesting lives, it is also true that they face many challenges and special circumstances that civilian children and families don’t experience. These can include gaps in school attendance and learning due to frequent moves, being separated from a parent who has been deployed, and a sense of isolation in the midst of a civilian community. This evidence-informed guide introduces school administrators to this population and offers tools to help them implement school-wide programs that will support military students’ learning.

Written in an engaging style by experts in the field, this practical guide includes:

• Profiles of principals who have created welcoming school environments for military children and parents
• Lessons learned from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools
• A chapter on using data to improve school culture for military students
• A chapter on education policies that can improve circumstances for military children
• Research highlighting how frequent school transitions and parental deployments affect the education of military children

Teachers College Press also publishes guides written specifically for teachers, pupil personnel, and parents. All royalties from the sale of these books are being donated to military children’s educational causes.

Ron Avi Astor is the Richard M. and Ann L. Thor Professor in Urban Social Development at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work and Rossier School of Education. He is the principal investigator of Building Capacity in Military-Connected Schools, a consortium partnership involving the USC and eight Southern California military-connected school districts.

“I am grateful to the USC Building Capacity team headed by Ron Avi Astor for developing this exceptional resource. The content and accompanying strategies provide practical insights that are well-supported by good science. Educators and administrators can be confident in this reliable source.”
—Mary M. Keller, EdD, President and CEO, Military Child Education Coalition

“Preparation programs should consider this guide as a key component of their curriculum to prepare incoming teachers, counselors, principals, and others to work effectively with military-connected students.”
—American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

“This guide is essential reading for teachers, administrators, and support staff working with children from military-connected families. It provides a comprehensive overview of the issues faced by these youth and a wealth of information about how we can most effectively meet their needs.”
—Amanda Datnow, Professor and Chair, Department of Education Studies, University of California, San Diego