Easing Transitions of Military Dependents into Hawaii Public Schools: An Invitational Education Link

International Alliance for Invitational Education. Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road House #55, Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591. Tel: 770-423-6869; Web site: http://www.invitationaleducation.net/publications/journal/index.htm

Y

15

Military Personnel; Dependents; Transitional Programs; Public Schools; School Attitudes; Educational Practices; Educational Theories; Educational Quality; State Universities; Surveys; Participant Satisfaction; Focus Groups

1060-6041

Over 15,000 military dependent students attend Hawaii public schools, about 8% of the total student population. The transition to Hawaii schools has been identified by many military families as a challenge and one more difficult than other transitions their families have made. A generally acknowledged negative perception of Hawaii public schools among the military community worldwide does nothing to ease this transition, especially when schooling ranks near the top of military families' quality-of-life issues. Other factors that have made the transition difficult include cultural differences and some local school policies. This study draws on the following: federally funded research and programs to ease school transitions for military dependent students, five years of customer satisfaction surveys done with military families in Hawaii, and descriptions of the numerous programs and activities underway in the state. These programs and activities are sponsored jointly by the military and the Department of Education to welcome military dependent students into the public schools and provide them with a quality education. From a broad overview of the situation for military dependent students worldwide, this study hones in on efforts in Hawaii and the connections to the research literature including Invitational Education (IE). The study includes a description of the prevalence of IE at the University of Hawaii and its congruence with Hawaiian values as well as with the research on school connectedness that underlies much of the national-level effort at easing military student transitions. (Contains 2 tables.)

As Provided

22

2009

EJ839525