Pact a plus for military kids

Students in military families should have an easier time making the transition to Colorado schools.

The new Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity will be activated today and Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, Fort Carson's Chief of Staff Col. B. Shannon Davis and military families will gather on the State Capitol's west steps at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate.

As of today, 10 states — including Colorado — have passed laws agreeing to the compact, according to a media release.

The compact deals with topics such as differing graduation requirements, kindergarten and first grade entrance age variations, transfer of records and powers of custodial parents while parents are deployed.

"The move to a new school or base can be difficult. Most military children will enroll in six to nine school systems between kindergarten and 12th grade. The interstate compact will help military students in Colorado have smoother transitions," O'Brien said.