UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Washington state has joined a growing list of states that provide resources from the "School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students" initiative — a part of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State — to schools in their state that intend to achieve the prestigious "Purple Star" designation.
Purple Star Schools are state-recognized institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. Washington joins Alaska, Delaware, Maine, Nebraska, Ohio and Wyoming in providing these resources to schools in their state.
“It’s inspiring to see Washington take this critical step in its Purple Star journey,” said Daniel F. Perkins, principal scientist at the Clearinghouse, a Social Science Research Institute co-funded faculty and professor of family and youth resiliency and policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “These modules empower educators to create welcoming and supportive environments for military-connected students, whether helping them cope with transitions or fostering their social-emotional growth.”
The School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students initiative currently provides access to 198 free, on-demand learning modules tailored to address key challenges faced by military-connected students and designed for educators with limited time. These learning modules and the related materials are available on the website and address key recommendations from evaluations of the Purple Star Schools Program, including the following:
- Effective Training Practices: A vetted archive of state-level training materials ensures content accuracy and reduces the burden on school-based points of contact.
- Time-Intensive Training Solutions: The short duration (10-15 minutes) of these modules makes them accessible for educators who have limited time.
- Targeted Content: Modules are filtered by audience to ensure teachers receive student-focused training while administrators concentrate on logistical and enrollment aspects.
- Annual and Rotating Training: A large library of modules allows for annual professional development without redundancy.
Participants can also download a certificate of completion to fulfill professional development requirements under the Purple Star Schools Program.
“By offering short, focused training modules tailored to specific roles, our program effectively addresses the Purple Star Schools’ needs for both teachers and administrators,” said Cristin Hall, co-principal investigator of the project. “These resources are designed with educators in mind, equipping them to confidently navigate the challenges military-connected students face.”
The Purple Star Schools Program, launched in Ohio in 2017, recognizes schools that excel in supporting military families through educator training, peer-support programs and resource development. By 2024, 42 states have embraced this initiative, reflecting a national commitment to addressing the needs of military-connected students. Washington's adoption of these resources represents a critical step forward in ensuring consistent, high-quality training for educators.
“Washington's adoption of these resources exemplifies the growing commitment nationwide to ensure that every military-connected student has the support they need to thrive academically and socially,” said Tim Mazer, research project manager at the Clearinghouse. “By making these modules accessible and actionable, we’re helping schools standardize their approach to supporting military families while allowing flexibility for their unique challenges. This combination of consistency and adaptability is key to creating an effective and sustainable support system for educators and students alike.”
For more information about the School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students or the Purple Star Schools Program, visit the Clearinghouse website or follow on Facebook.
About School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students
School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students is a project by the Clearinghouse, an applied research center located within the Social Science Research Institute at Penn State, and is funded by the Department of Defense Education Activity. The goal of these resources is to provide school personnel with free, evidence-informed resources to use as they support military-connected students.
About the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State
The Clearinghouse is committed to advancing service members' and their families' health and well-being. The Clearinghouse takes a solution-oriented approach that includes conducting applied research studies, building workforce expertise through training and resource provision, implementing and evaluating evidence-informed programs and practices and delivering objective data and policy-relevant findings, so decisions are based on the best science and evidence available. The Clearinghouse is located within Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute.