TODAY, OVER T WO MILLION MILITARY-CONNECTED CHILDREN live with perpetual challenges presented by frequent moves, parental and sibling deployments, and a host of life transitions that include reintegration and dealing with profoundly changed parents. The well-being of these children depends heavily on a network of supportive adults who are trained to identify early signs of emotional or physical challenge. The Military Child Education Coalition exists to serve these children from birth into adulthood.
The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) is a 501(c)(3) global, nonprofit organization focused exclusively on the well-being and needs of America’s two million military-connected children, specifically in the areas of academic opportunity and excellence, school transition support, and developmental needs. Our goal is to ensure that every military-connected child grows and thrives through good and challenging times so that they are college, work place, and ultimately, life-ready. The MCEC Vision: To serve as a model of positive leadership and advocacy for ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children. The MCEC Mission: To ensure quality educational experiences for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition.
ABOUT THE MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION (MCEC) The MCEC founders planned our organizational concept in 1996 at the home of General Tom Schwartz who was then the commander of III Corps and Fort Hood. In 1997 we launched MCEC through founding memberships of Fort Hood and the Killeen Independent School District. In 1998 we officially incorporated as a nonprofit, education-focused organization. In 2001 the Army became our first service branch member, and they continue their membership with the MCEC. Our coalition membership now includes all components of the military services including the Coast Guard, Veterans, school systems around the world, students, parents, organizations and corporations, and individuals. With over half of the U.S. military force strength in the Reserve Components, the MCEC attention has deliberately and thoughtfully encompassed the unique needs of the children and youth whose parents serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The MCEC is the only organization nationwide that focuses exclusively and persistently on the needs of the military-connected child. We have learned through extensive research and work with military families what “right” looks and feels like for students, their families, school districts, and military and community support systems. We use our depth of knowledge to build structures for sustainable support for children from birth through age 23 in their education-related transitions as well as during deployment and reintegration. As both an awareness-building and a service organization, we span the globe in our delivery of services and support through our programs for students, parents, educators, and other child-serving professionals and through our research, partnerships, resources, and array of high quality, accredited professional development. The organization collaborates consistently with the military, educators, and community members and with leaders at the federal, state, and local levels to improve educational opportunities for militaryconnected students. In addition to the Departments of Defense and Education, we work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Gallup Corporation, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Sesame Workshop, ZERO TO THREE, Pre-K Now, National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), Tutor.com, United through Reading, www.MilitaryChild.org
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