Introduction of the Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, according to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 80 percent of military-connected children attend public schools. In 2011, the Government Accountability Office reported that data concerning the academic outcomes of these students was limited. In response, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, which included the military student identifier to require that public schools identify and report on the academic outcomes of military- connected students.

However, the military student identifier only includes children with a parent who is on active-duty in the Armed Forces. Children whose parents serve in the National Guard or Reserve Components are excluded from the military student identifier unless that parent serves full- time. These children still face unique challenges and stressors as members of the National Guard and Reserves often deploy within their respective state in response to state emergencies, directives, or while in training.

Therefore, the Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve Act expands the military student identifier to include children of the National Guard and Reserves.

This simple and straightforward change will provide invaluable data for educators, parents, and policymakers to understand the academic outcomes of all military-connected students.

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