Initiative for Military Families
Bringing the best in education to students from military families.
The MISSION:
The Initiative for Military Families (IMF) is providing consistent, high-level math and science education in high schools serving military bases in the United States. The initiative brings college-level coursework to students through the highly regarded and highly effective Advanced Placement curriculum. Because the AP courses are standard across the country, this program provides excellence and continuity for students whenever their families are transferred.
WHO:
The program is being replicated throughout the U.S. by the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). NMSI’s partners in this mission include the Military Child Education Coalition, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), the Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA), the Office of Naval Research, the Army Education Outreach Program, and the White House’s Joining Forces initiative.
WHEN and WHERE:
The IMF was launched in the 2010-2011 school year in four public high schools: two serving Fort Hood in Texas, and two near Fort Campbell in Kentucky. This fall, the program has been expanded to more than 24 additional high schools serving military students, for a total of 29 schools. Commitments have already been made to boost the number to over 50 next year.
WHY:
Almost two million young people in America have a parent serving in the military today. More than 220,000 of those young people have someone deployed overseas today. The separation, concerns about safety, and frequent transfers can be particularly hard on children whose parents protect our country.
HOW:
Generous inaugural funding to launch the program was provided by Lockheed Martin Corporation. Major funding to add over 30 additional high schools is being provided by BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, the Department of Defense Education Activity, ExxonMobil, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Northrop Grumman, the Office of Naval Research, and the Army Education Outreach Program, with additional support from Modern Technology Solutions Inc. and the O’Donnell Foundation.
RESULTS:
The IMF is already producing results – in the first year, the number of students enrolled in AP math, science and English classes in IMF schools increased 64 percent. College Board results for the school year 2010-2011 showed participating schools earned a 45 percent increase in AP exams passed in math, science, and English, which is almost six times the national average.
GOALS:
With additional funding, it is anticipated the Initiative for Military Families can be expanded to 100 public high schools, ensuring that a high percentage of military families will be served.
The Military Child Education Coalition is delighted to work with NMSI on this important effort because, first and foremost, it is an evidenced-based approach that results in students attaining a high level of achievement through success in AP math and science courses. Secondly, what we know from the MCEC’s research is that military-connected students can experience barriers to high performance in math and science either because of gaps in skills and knowledge or because of a lack of awareness about the critical value of courses with high quality, national standards such as AP. Through the generous support of Lockheed Martin, NMSI’s program will make a difference for secondary school students with one or more parents serving our nation. We are deeply grateful.”
—Dr. Mary Keller, President and CEO of the Military Child Education Coalition
Download our Initiative for Military Families brochure
Click Here to view our Initiative for Military Families Video
