The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (SB 1506) passed in 2014 by the Oregon State Legislature, aims to reduce the educational and emotional issues encountered when the children of military personnel are required to transfer from schools in one state to another. The goal of the law is to provide as much consistency as possible with other states relative to school policies and procedures, while honoring the existing laws that govern public education in our state.

The law

• Applies to public schools only.
• Addresses key transition issues encountered by military families including enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation.
• Pertains to children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders, and Members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year are eligible for assistance under the compact.

Senate Bill 690 (2019) removed the sunset on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. It also establishes the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction and members of the State Board of Education as the membership of the State Council. It directed the Council to meet at least once a year and directed ODE to provide the administrative support for the Council.

The provisions apply to the following military children

• Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this compact, including members of the National Guard and reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Secs. 1209 and 1211.
• Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after medical discharge or retirement.
• Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one year after death.

The provisions do NOT apply to: inactive members of the National Guard and Reserves; members of the uniformed services now retired; veterans of the uniformed services; other U.S. Department of Defense personnel and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.

Resources

• Guide for Parents, School Officials, and Public Administrators
• Official Website for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission
• Staff Measure Summary for SB 1506 A-ENG (2014) for the Senate Committee on Veterans & Emergency Preparedness
• Staff Measure Summary for SB 1506 B-ENG (2014) for the Joint Committee on Ways & Means
• Staff Measure Summary for SB 690 A (2019) for the Senate Committee on Veterans & Emergency Preparedness
• Staff Measure Summary for SB 690 A (2019) for the Senate Committee on Education
• Staff Measure Summary for SB 690 A (2019) for the House Committee on Veterans & Emergency Preparedness
• Staff Measure Summary for SB 690 A (2019) for the House Committee on Education

Oregon’s State Council

The Council and Commissioner serve as voting members on matters relating to the Compact in Oregon. By law, the Council includes representatives from:

• Department of Education: Director Colt Gill
• Military Liaison: Lt. Col. Bob Bates
  
• Council Members: Kimberly Howard, Chair; Bob Bates, Vice Chair; Anthony Veliz, Jerome Colonna, Guadalupe Martinez Zapata, George Russell, Bridgett Wheeler, Jennifer Scurlock and Heidi Sipe.

For more information, please email the State Board Administrator.