Military Families

Who are Military-Connected Students?

A student enrolled in a school district or an open-enrollment charter school who is a dependent of a current or former member of the United States military, Texas National Guard, or reserve force in the United States military or who was a dependent of a member of the United States military, Texas National Guard, or reserve force in the United States military who was killed in the line of duty.

Texas is home to one of the largest populations of military-connected students in the nation:

• Nearly 230,000 military-connected students are enrolled in Texas public and open-enrollment charter schools.

• Every school region in Texas has identified military-connected students.

• On average, military-connected children move 6 to 9 times during their K–12 education.

• Approximately 30% of these students are between the ages of 6 and 11.

• Children from military families are twice as likely as their civilian peers to serve in the Armed Forces as adults.

Region 5 Education Service Center (ESC) is dedicated to supporting military-connected students and families as they navigate the transitions and challenges of military life. Through its Military-Connected Student (MCS) Program, the ESC provides guidance, resources, and professional development to help school districts ensure educational continuity, stability, and comprehensive support for these students.

In partnership with the Texas Education Agency, ESC 5 works to strengthen communication between schools and families, increase awareness of available resources, and enhance systems of support for highly mobile military students. The program assists districts in identifying and serving students whose parent or guardian is a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces, a member of the Texas National Guard, or a reserve component of the U.S. military, or has been killed in the line of duty.

Region 5 ESC is committed to ensuring that every military-connected student in the region is recognized, supported, and celebrated for the resilience and strength they contribute to school communities.

Resources for Families and School Districts

Texas Education Agency (TEA) – Military-Connected Students
Official TEA webpage with statewide program guidance, data reporting information, and Purple Star Campus details.

Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Guidance
Provides data standards and reporting requirements for identifying military-connected students.

Purple Star Campus Designation Program
Recognizes Texas schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. 

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)

TEA Military-Connected Student and Family Resources

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3)
Ensures educational continuity for children of active-duty military members as they transfer between states and school districts. 

Military OneSource
Comprehensive resource offering confidential help, educational support, relocation assistance, and counseling for military families.

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
Supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle.

Military One Source
Education Directory for Students with Special Needs

US Army Reserve Family Programs

National Military Family Association Education Resources

Center for Parent Information and Resources Especially for Military Families

Navigate Life Texas: Resources for Military Families of Children with Disabilities

Military Student Identifier (MSI) Infographics
Helps districts accurately identify and report military-connected students, contributing to more informed support strategies.

Statewide (Texas) Military Student Identifier Data Report (2025)
Presents high-level insights into student counts by MSI type, regional distribution by ESC, and Purple Star Campus Designation (PSCD) activity

• Military Culture and Lifestyle - Family and Educator

• Military Families Relocating to Texas - Family and Educator

• Military Connected Students with Exceptional and Special Needs - Family and Educator

• Supporting Military Families - Family and Educator

The Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes Texas district and charter schools that demonstrate exceptional support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. This special honor was established by the 86th Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 1557 and is further defined in agency rule (19 TAC §61.1063), effective April 9, 2020.

Each fall, the Texas Education Agency awards the Purple Star Campus designation to campuses that apply and meet the established criteria (see below). Selected campuses receive a distinctive Purple Star recognition to proudly display on campus or on their school website.

1) Designate a campus-based military liaison that must:

• Support military connected students and their families.

• Offer professional development opportunities for staff members on issues related to military-connected students.

2) Create and maintain an easily accessible campus military webpage that includes the following information for military-connected students and their families.

• Relocation

• Enrollment and registration

• Academic planning

• Counseling and support services

• Campus-based military liaison information 

3) Must have/implement a campus transition program that includes:

• Introductions to school environment and processes.

• Student leaders or ambassadors should be supported or sponsored by a campus-based staff member.

• Participate in organizing and hosting newcomer social events, facilitating guided tours of the campus, and accompanying new students to lunch the first week of school.

4) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:

• A resolution showing support for military-connected students and families;

• Participation in Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month; or

• Partnership with a school liaison officer to encourage and provide opportunities for active-duty military members to volunteer in the local schools, speak at a school assembly, or host a school field trip.

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-families/purple-star-campus-designation

• Charlton-Pollard Elementary School - Beaumont ISD

• Curtis Elementary School - Beaumont ISD

• Regina-Howell Elementary School - Beaumont ISD

Military Champion

Suzanne Martin
Program Coordinator
Email Suzanne Martin
409-951-1784