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Student Focused, Partnership Driven
Stay in the know about issues impacting your military-connected student. Your email will not be sold or shared. Personal emails preferred.
School Liaison Program
The Barksdale School Liaison Program (SLP) is your first stop for educational information for grades PreK-12. Education and support of our military-connected students is a top priority in our community.
Your School Liaison Program offers education support for all military-connected students. The School Liaison is available to assist with a variety of resources and questions on topics for those PCSing to, or from, or are currently stationed at Barksdale AFB.
Services include advocating for military-connected students at all levels of local and state governments, and with local schools and educators. Assisting parents in finding resources to support students struggling with a variety of issues ranging from special education, emotional, support, finding scholarships, career prep, or homework. Your School Liaison is your first stop to support your students when you arrive and the last stop before your next move
FACT
School Liaisons serve more than 1.6M DoD connected students worldwide. Where you find DoD connected students, you find School Liaisons.
The School Liaison Program (SLP) is the central point of contact for commanders, military families, and local school systems on school-related matters. The SL assists commanders and Total Force families in meeting the challenging demands of the military lifestyle by developing and maintaining partnerships between parents, installation leadership, local schools, including home schools, private schools, charter schools, virtual schools, Department of Defense Education Activity and International Schools and the community.
Mission: The School Liaison is committed to outreach, advocacy, and partnership initiatives that generate real-time solutions for military-connected students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 as they face global educational challenges and transitions.
Vision: To deliver unparalleled educational advocacy, outreach, and partnerships for military-connected students around the globe!
CORE SERVICES:
How do I know which school district I live in off base?
The parent/guardianโs physical residence determines the public school district and school zone your student will attend. Find your studentโs assigned school zone by visiting the school or district websites at Bossier Schools Directory or Caddo schools directory.
BOSSIER School Board
CADDO School Board
Students living on the main base are zoned:
Students living on the East Reservation are zoned:
The Bossier Parish School Board may permit out-of-district transfers for school attendance. If you are interested in a transfer request, please contact the Barksdale School Liaison Program Manager.
What is School of Choice?
Active duty members who are base residents with military-connected students now have the option to do school of choice. This means parents may send their student to any school in the Bossier Parish school district up to the schoolโs functional capacity. It is the parentโs responsibility to provide transportation for their student to and from school.
Parents/Guardians new to Barksdale AFB may choose their studentโs district and school upon arrival. Parents in residence on base have one week prior to open registration to notify the desired school and complete the registration process.
Contact your Barksdale School Liaison for more information by email at Jacqueline.Robertson@us.af.mil or BarksdaleSchoolLiaison@us.af.mil.
You may also visit your school or district website or the Louisiana Believes website.
Academic Planning and Post-Secondary Preparations
Your School Liaison is ready with information and resources for your graduating military-connected student. Career planning information, scholarship availability, post-secondary information, and opportunities, are all available to set your student up for success.
FACT
Where they are we are. School Liaisons support military-connected students and families at every school transition point, deployment, and PCS.
What basic information do I need to register my student?
When registering a child, parents should have the following (may vary slightly):
Proof of Residency
Proof of Caddo Parish residency (Photo ID with name and current address e.g., driverโs license, state-issued or military ID, and two documents proving current residency e.g., current utility bill, mortgage or lease documents, or property tax records)
Birth certificate and/or proof of legal guardianship
Immunization Records
Immunization records NOTE: Each student must have a current Louisiana Shot Record. To obtain the correct documentation, take your studentโs current shot record to the Immunization Clinic on base. Visit the Louisiana Department of Health for a list of vaccinations required to attend Louisiana schools.
Academic Records
Copy of the childโs most recent report card and/or transcripts from previous schools (if applicable)
Transferring from another Louisiana School
If the student is transferring from another public school in Louisiana, a copy of the Louisiana Student Transfer Record will be required. This form may be obtained at the school from which the student is transferring. Most importantly, contact the appropriate school prior to registration. Schools are open throughout the summer to accommodate parents during the registration process.
โLifeโs most persistent and urgent question is: โwhat are you doing for others?โ
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Three things every parent of a military-connected student can do.
- Learn about the Military Interstate Compact Agreement or MIC3
- Complete and return the Impact Aid Survey every year
- Share this information with every military-connected parent you meet
Why are MIC3 and the Impact Aid Survey so important?
-
The Military Interstate Childrenโs Compact Commission (MIC3) provides consistency across states and was drafted with the intent to avoid conflict with existing state codes where possible. It replaces widely varying policies that affect transitioning military students and supports uniform treatment for military-connected students as they transfer between school districts and member states.
While the Compact is not exhaustive in its coverage, it addresses the key issues encountered by military families: in the areas of eligibility, enrollment, placement, extra curriculars, and graduation.
Louisiana & the Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children - (MIC3)
The Interstate Compact provides consistency across states and was drafted with the intent to avoid conflict with existing state codes where possible. Louisiana was the 25th State to sign the bill sponsored by Representative Regina Barrow and signed by the Governor on 1 July 2009.
Find the Louisiana Revised Statutes in Part III, 17:1915. The Compact replaces widely varying policies that affect transitioning military students and supports uniform treatment for militaryconnected students as they transfer between school districts and member states. While the Compact is not exhaustive in its coverage, it addresses the key issues encountered by military families: in the areas of eligibility, enrollment, placement, extra-curricular military-connected, and graduation.
Your local School Liaison Office is the first in the chain of command for compliance concerns or challenges.
Results of the Impact Aid Survey help fund schools
Impact Aid survey data is collected and given to DoDEA by the Department of Education. The data received from the Department of Education is used to determine the eligibility for DoD Impact Aid. The amount of aid provided is determined using the previous yearโs statistics. Impact Aid provides financial assistance to LEAs which meet the eligibility criteria. This criterion is based on a percentage of military or civilian dependent students in average daily attendance in their schools, as reported on their Federal Impact Aid application for the preceding year.
What Parents Need to Know
Mandatory Kindergarten
Louisiana mandates that children who reach age 5 by September 30 be enrolled in kindergarten. Children who are evaluated and identified as gifted may enroll earlier. There is also an exemption for children enrolled in PreK programs. Homeschooling is permitted for
kindergarten. Learn more from school or district websites or read the law.
School Uniforms
Most public schools in Louisiana require uniforms K-12. This information is listed on each schoolโs website and Facebook page.
Stay Informed
Your School Liaison helps create networks of parents, military and civilian personnel, and community partners to support parents, military-connected students, schools, educators, and community leaders.
School Handbooks, websites, PTA/PTSA, booster clubs and committees are invaluable sources of information. You are encouraged to actively research your studentโs school, programs, and opportunities. Most importantly, get involved.
Homeschooling in Louisiana
Your School Liaison is the first stop to connect to your new homeschooling community. The School Liaison can advise you on local policies and laws, connect you with the appropriate agencies, and address any issues or concerns regarding homeschooling your military-connected student. Stay informed and connected. Learn the rules for homeschooling in Louisiana.
Special Education Support
Need help navigating the world of 504 or IEP plans, or finding support for your military-connected student with physical or learning challenges? Your school liaison is here to advocate for and ensure your student has the resources necessary to thrive. Whether you need help discovering available programs and services, or assistance in navigating the school system, reach out to your school liaison. Learn about Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities in Louisiana.
Private Schools
Families stationed at Barksdale AFB also have the option of enrolling their children in private school. If you are interested in exploring any of these other education options for your child, please contact the Barksdale School Liaison Program Manager.
Military Family Life Counselor
There is a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) available to all military-connected students in-zoned schools. MFLCs offer non-medical counseling for adults and children. Ask if there is an MFLC embedded at your military-connected studentโs school, or how to make an appointment for your student. Learn more about counseling and support services available to support your military family.
Transition Support
Your installation School Liaison understands the challenges faced by military-connected students and families during transitions. Help, support, and resources are available for a variety of issues including to PCS/PCA, moving off/on the installation, deployment, childcare to Pre-K/K, Elementary School to Middle School, and Middle School to High School.
Peer to Peer Student Sponsorship
Student sponsorship programs offer peer to peer support for your military-connected student by introducing new students to others of similar age who share their interests.
Deployments and Parental Absences
Deployments upset routines regardless of how familiar or prepared families are with these types of absences. Absences impact students differently at different ages and stages. Your School Liaison or Military Life Family Counselor (MFLC) can provide families and military-connected students with resources and tools to assist in coping during these times. Including creating understanding of the cycle of deployments, and helping minimize negative academic, social, and emotional impact. Reach out to your school liaison, support is waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When do I need to register a child?
A: Schools are open throughout the summer to accommodate parents in the registration process. The early registration of students provides the school system an opportunity to evaluate student placement and adjust staffing in response to unanticipated enrollment increases. Parents should contact their local school to schedule an enrollment appointment.
Q: What information do I need to register a child?
A:
- Proof of Caddo Parish residency (Deed or lease and photo ID with 2 proofs of residency)
- Certificate of birth
- Immunization record
- Copy of the childโs most recent report card (if applicable)
- If the student is transferring from another public school in Louisiana, a copy of the Louisiana Student Transfer Record will be required. This form may be obtained at the school from which the student is transferring. Most importantly, contact the appropriate school prior to registration. Schools are open throughout the summer to accommodate parents during the registration process.
Q: Where can I find school data?
A:
Q: When can my child attend kindergarten?
A: In order to be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment in LA, a child must be 5 prior to 30 September of that school year. *Exceptions may be made of children who are covered under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children.
Private schools set their own kindergarten entrance age and may differ from that of the public schools.
Q: What if my child receives special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or has a 504 in place?
A: Parents of students on IEPs will be notified in writing concerning how services will be provided. An Individual Continuity Plan or Individual 504 Continuity Plan will be established. This will be determined on an individual basis. Please check with your childโs school if you have additional questions.
Look for the Purple Star! Louisianaโs Purple Star School Award Program
This award will show recognition to schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to the United States Armed Forces.
To earn the recognition, schools must engage in the following activities:
- Designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison and engage in the following:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for military connected students and families
- Work to identify special considerations needed by military-connected students and families
- Develop training to inform teachers and other school personnel of those special considerations
- Create a dedicated page on its website featuring resources for military-connected students and families
- Create a student-led transition program to provide peer support for military-connected students
Purple Star School Badge
- The school system must engage in the following:
- Adopt a resolution stating the commitment to support military-connected students and families
- Assign a central office staff member to be the contact for the school liaison and military-connected students and families
- School systems that meet the above criteria should complete the Purple Star School Award form. Schools that earn the designation will be provided a certificate, and a digital badge, and a digital badge will be added to the schoolโs page on Louisiana School Finder.
For additional information please contact highschoolacademics@la.gov
Resources and Information for Military-Connected Students
External Links
- Military Child Care
- Military One Source
- School Liaison Directory
- Military Interstate Childrenโs Compact Commission โ MIC3
- Tutor.com โ Online homework help
- CollegeBoard
- Khan Academy
- Homeschooling Legal Defense Association
- Department of the Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children
- Worldwide School Liaison Listing
- Barksdale AFB Youth Sponsorship
- Military Child Education Coalition
