Maryland lets military families apply early for county schools

County superintendents must let eligible children apply to enroll in a county public school before moving there. This covers school-age dependent children of active service members relocating to Maryland on official orders who are not county residents during the enrollment period. The service member must provide official orders showing they will be stationed in Maryland during the current or immediately following school year. The remote process may not charge a fee or require the service member, another parent or guardian, or the child to appear in person in the county to complete any part of the process. To finalize enrollment, the service member must provide proof of the child’s dependent status, a copy of the relocation orders, and proof of county residence within 10 days of the arrival date listed in the orders.

County boards must ensure that a child receives an appropriate education without undue delay and coordinate with the family and the sending school system. This applies to an enrolling dependent child who has an individualized education program or 504 plan in the state they are moving from. The remote registration process must let a parent or guardian note whether the child has an individualized education program or 504 plan in the state they are leaving. The county must provide education under that program or plan when appropriate.

The Secretary of Veterans and Military Families must publish and maintain information about school enrollment and related help for military families. The information must cover advance enrollment, Purple Star Schools, the interstate education compact for military children, and assistance for service members, including help for those whose children are entitled to special education in Maryland. The Secretary must consult with the Military Family Education Liaison, the Office of Military and Federal Affairs, and the Maryland Military Installation Council.