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Bill signed to support military children

  • Published
  • By Christi Spargur
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

Joined by federal, state, and local officials, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed House Bill 3939 into state law Saturday at Mascoutah High School.  House Bill 3939 renews and reinforces Illinois' membership in and commitment to the Interstate Compact for Military Children.

 

The Interstate Compact helps military children transition from one school to the next by establishing consistent policies and a unified approach in addressing the unique challenges faced by military students.  Forty eight states to include Illinois have joined the Interstate Compact.

 

Illinois State Representative Eddie Lee Jackson, whose district includes Scott Air Force Base, was a co-sponsor of the bill.  He said, "House Bill 3939 was an initiative by Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon to provide a smooth transition for military students moving from one school to the next.  This was accomplished by amending, clarifying and extending the Illinois Education Opportunity for Military Children Act of 2010.  This bill is a commitment to military students to remove all educational barriers for military families..."

 

House Bill 3939 not only renews Illinois' membership in the Interstate Compact, which was set to expire in 2015, but also amends the state's law to better align with the provisions of the Interstate Compact.  Under the bill, military students in Illinois must be allowed to enroll at their current grade level.  House Bill 3939 further states that schools will honor course and program placement to include advance placement courses and schools will facilitate opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and sports.

 

State Sen. Melinda Bush, whose district represents Great Lakes Naval Air Station, co-sponsored House Bill 3939.  She said, "It is so important for members of the military to know how important they are.  We understand moving your children across the United States should not be difficult.  We should do everything we can to make it easier for you and to make sure that your children have the same opportunities no matter where they move."

 

Beyond Scott AFB and Great Lakes NAS, Illinois is also home to the Army's Rock Island Arsenal and Illinois National Guard Headquarters in Springfield.  There are approximately 10,000 military children in Illinois, who on average attend nine different schools between kindergarten and high school.  The average military family moves three times more than civilian families.

 

Installation commander for Scott AFB and commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing, Col. Kyle Kremer said, "On behalf of the commanders at Rock Island and Great Lakes, this bill is a huge help for our military families.  When we are reassigned, the very first question our families ask us about the new assignment is 'What are the schools are like?'  The second question is always about housing and the quality of life.  As military members, we defend the Constitution of the United States.  We salute smartly and will go where ever we are asked.  But our families, they come by choice not by contract.  When we have provisions in place to secure and facilitate a smooth transition so our children can continue to develop their education, this is a great benefit to us."

 

With respect to education, military children face different challenges than civilian students.  Meeting new friends, dealing with parental separations due to extended temporary duty assignments or deployments, and adjusting to new school environments are among them.  Difficulties can also arise as military children transition from one school to the next, especially in the middle of the semester.  There may be issues with the transfer of course credits to meet graduation requirements, placement in equal or similar classes at the student's prior level, and opportunities to try out for sports teams and school clubs.

 

Gov. Pat Quinn said, "I think it's very important we understand those who serve our country and wear the uniform, they are volunteers.  They answer the call to duty and go forward protecting us in often very dangerous circumstances.  Their families and their children are entitled to a world class education.  ...When a family moves from one state to our state, it's very important we make the adjustments to make sure our military children are treated properly - that they get a fair chance whether it's going out for a team or getting the opportunity to take a course they couldn't take elsewhere.  ...We have to make adjustment for kids coming from other places and are part of a military family that is serving our country.

 

"There is a saying of Abraham Lincoln's from a long time ago that said the duty of all of us on the homefront is to take good care of those who bear the battle.  The state of Illinois wants to thank all of those who wear the uniform of this country.  We thank you for your service.  We owe you a permanent debt of gratitude for the ethics of your service and your willingness to volunteer.  We the people of Illinois will make sure we take good care of your families."

 

Editor's note: Information provided courtesy of the Office of the Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon