The Impact of Dismantling the Department of Education on Military Children and How They Can Ensure Their Rights

Public Gathering

Military children are resilient, adaptable, and brave, often facing challenges that other children may never experience. Frequent relocations, long-term deployments, and the emotional stress of having a parent away can create unique educational challenges for military families. However, these children also benefit from certain protections and programs designed to ensure their educational opportunities remain consistent and equitable, regardless of where they are stationed.

One of the key players in supporting the educational needs of military children is the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). However, recent conversations about dismantling or severely reducing the role of the DOE have sparked concerns about how such changes could negatively impact military families. This blog will explore the potential consequences of dismantling the DOE for military children, and what steps military children can take to ensure their educational rights are protected, including NATO's mandate on child rights and child rights education.

The Historical Context of Military Children’s Educational Rights

For decades, military children have faced unique challenges due to frequent moves, long deployments, and the need for educational continuity. In the past, military families often had to navigate a disjointed system of state-run educational programs, which made it difficult for military children to experience a stable education. As a result, various initiatives and agreements have been implemented to support these children, such as the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, and the federal Impact Aid program that provides funding to schools that serve military families.

The Department of Education has played a significant role in ensuring that military children have the resources and support they need, including maintaining the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which provides high-quality schooling for children of military families both in the U.S. and overseas.

The Potential Consequences of Dismantling the Department of Education

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in supporting the education of military children, both in the United States and abroad. Should the DOE be dismantled, several key areas of concern could arise for military children:

1. Loss of Federal Education Programs: The DOE administers important programs such as Impact Aid, which provides funding to school districts that serve large numbers of military children. Without this funding, school districts may face challenges in maintaining the resources necessary to support military children who often face frequent moves, transitions, and educational disruptions.

   
   

2. Uncertainty for DoDEA Schools: The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) oversees schools on military bases both in the U.S. and abroad, ensuring that military children have access to quality education no matter where they are stationed. If the DOE is dismantled, there is concern about how these schools will be funded and whether they will continue to receive the support they need to maintain high educational standards.

   
   

3. Complications with Interstate Mobility: Military children are frequently required to relocate from state to state, and the DOE helps facilitate consistency between educational systems through programs like the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This compact helps ease transitions by ensuring that educational policies across states are aligned in a way that supports military families. Without federal oversight, there could be a patchwork of educational standards, making it more difficult for military children to adjust to new schools.

   
   

4. Impact on Special Education Services and Mental Health Support: Military children are at risk of experiencing emotional challenges due to frequent separations from parents, moving to new places, and the unique stresses of military life. The DOE currently supports programs that provide mental health services and special education resources to ensure that military children receive the assistance they need. A loss of this support could make it harder for schools to provide appropriate services to children who need them most.

   
   

How Military Children Can Ensure Their Rights Are Protected

While the potential dismantling of the DOE is a concern, there are still several ways that military children and their families can ensure that their educational rights are protected. These steps include:

1. Advocating for Educational Rights: Parents and guardians of military children can become advocates for their children’s educational rights. Engaging with local school boards, legislators, and advocacy organizations can help ensure that the needs of military children are represented in policy discussions. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is an example of an organization that advocates for military children’s rights and can help families navigate education systems.

2. Understanding the Interstate Compact: Families should familiarize themselves with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which is a legally binding agreement between states designed to ease transitions for military families moving between states. By understanding this compact, families can ensure that their children’s educational rights are maintained, regardless of where they move.

   
   

3. Seeking Support from DoDEA: Families stationed overseas or on military installations should reach out to DoDEA schools for support. These schools are designed specifically for military children and provide high-quality education and services tailored to their unique needs. Even in the absence of a federal department, these schools may still operate under the Department of Defense's mandates.

   
   

4. Utilizing Mental Health Resources: Military children and their families should take advantage of the mental health resources available to them, including those provided by military installations, community support programs, and national organizations. Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, and schools should be equipped to provide services for children who may be experiencing stress due to deployments or relocations.

   
   

5. Stay Informed and Active: Families should stay informed about any changes in educational policies that might impact their children. Joining local or national advocacy groups, following updates from organizations like Military OneSource, and attending community meetings will help military families remain proactive.

   
   

Protesting Peacefully

Incorporating NATO’s Mandate on Child Rights and Education

As military families are often part of a larger, global network, it is also important to consider the role of international mandates in ensuring the rights of military children. NATO’s Child Rights and Child Rights Education mandate is an important aspect of ensuring that military children are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect no matter where they are stationed.

NATO recognizes the importance of promoting child rights and ensuring that children, including those in military families, have access to quality education. NATO member countries have committed to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which ensures that children’s rights to education, protection, and well-being are upheld worldwide. NATO’s child rights initiatives include:

• Child Protection and Welfare: NATO has worked to improve the protection of children in conflict zones and ensure that military operations do not negatively affect children’s rights. This includes working to ensure that military children are not exposed to violence or displacement.

  
  

• Child Rights Education: NATO promotes child rights education, which is essential in fostering awareness of the rights and responsibilities of children within military communities. It emphasizes that every child, regardless of their parents’ military status, should have access to quality education, protection, and care.

  
  

Call to Action: Advocate for the Future of Military Children

The dismantling of the Department of Education poses a serious risk to the educational well-being of military children. However, through collective advocacy, proactive steps, and international frameworks like NATO’s child rights mandates, military families can work together to ensure that the educational rights of their children remain protected. It is essential for military families to stay informed, engage in the advocacy process, and seek support from organizations that specialize in military child education.

Military children deserve the best possible education and protection, no matter where they are stationed. By standing united and supporting these children’s educational rights, we can continue to build a brighter future for the next generation of military families.

Join us at The Military Children 2025 World Expo on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (Mall) at 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington, Virginia 22202. For additional information visit www.monthofthemilitarychildworldexpo.com.