This report describes a study of two Federally funded programs that provide for the elementary and secondary education of military dependents who live in the United States. Impact Aid funding compensates LEAs for the loss of revenues resulting from the tax-exempt status of both Federal property and the personal property of military personnel. Parents rated the schools most highly in terms of instructional quality, the safety and discipline provided by the schools, and the schools' encouragement of parent involvement in their child's learning. Parents whose children had not attended any public schools were also more opposed to a transfer than were parents whose children had attended public schools.
Parents have many concerns about a possible transfer.
Among parents of special needs students, the availability of special education programs was also a major concern. There was, however, widespread skepticism among LEA officials about the adequacy of Impact Aid funding. Additional logistical, administrative, or legal issues would need to be addressed at specific sites. At installations with restricted access, LEA access to on-base school facilities may require special arrangements. The Impact Aid portion of this study focused on LEAs in which over 30 percent of enrolled students are military connected.