OFFICE HOURS
Mon – Fri:
7:30 am – 4:30 pm
ADDRESS
PHONE
Work Cell:
(661) 902-8335
School Liaison Office
The School Liaison Program provides military-connected children the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, regardless of duty station, deployments, or transition status by partnering with families, community members, educators and other policymakers.
THE PROGRAM
Student Focused, Partnership Driven
Core Focus Areas for the School Liaison Program:
School Liaisons facilitate communication among parents, military leaders, and schools.
School Liaisons assist families to navigate through the complex area of Special Education including but not limited to special education law and policy, parental and student self-advocacy, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), and 504 Plans.
School Liaisons leverage installation and school resources such as Education and Training Flight and Career Centers to provide military-connected students access to post-secondary information and opportunities.
Community Relations, Partnerships, and Outreach
School Liaisons create a network of parents, community stakeholders, and military and civilian personnel to support installation communities and school systems.
What Is A School Liaison
School liaisons are the main contact for the military families, local school systems, and installation leadership for Prek-12th grade education related matters.
Mission
We are committed to outreach, advocacy, and partnership initiatives that generate real-time solutions for military-connected students in grades Prek-12.
Vision
To deliver unparalleled educational advocacy, outreach, and partnerships for military-connected students.
Who Is Eligible
All Department of Defense ID card holders, all educators who service military-connected students, and community partners involved in Prek-12th grade education.
Support Offered
Local School Navigation, Transition Support, Homeschool Suppport, Deployment Support, College Career and Military Readiness, MIC3 Compliance, Community Partnerships, Grant Resources and Scholarships.
Top Educational Issues
Enrollment, School Options, Graduation Requirements, PreK & Kindergarten Eligibility, Extra-Curriculars, Special Education, Attendance, and Transfer of Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I contact the Edwards AFB School Liaison Specialist?
Our current School Liaison Specialist is Rebecca Balkenbush
Phone Number: 661.277.2456 or DSN: 527-2456
Email: rebecca.balkenbush@us.af.mil or 412.fss.school.liaison@us.af.mil
Location: 5 N. Seller Avenue, Bldg. 3000. Located in the FSS Command Section.
2. What school choices do you I have for my child?
You may send your child to a traditional public school where you live, a public magnet school, a public charter school, a private school or home-school.
3. Is there a law that supports military connected students?
Yes, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children uses a comprehensive approach that provides a consistent policy in every school district and in every State that chooses to join. The goal of the Compact is to replace the widely varying policies affecting transitioning military students.
The Compact addresses key educational transition issues encountered by military families including enrollment, placement, attendance, special education services, eligibility and graduation.
Children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and reserve on active duty orders, and, for one year after leaving service, members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired are eligible for assistance under the Compact. For additional information, please visit the Interstate Compact Commission at www.mic3.net.
4. What private schools are available?
Your School Liaison Specialist has listings of private schools in the surrounding areas around Edwards AFB. Information on private schools is also available on the California Department of Education website http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/ps/.
The Private School Directory lists over 1,000 private schools that filed the annual Private School Affidavit and reported enrollments of six or more students. The majority of our students attend schools in Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County.
5. Which school is right for my child?
All public schools in California are responsible for California State learning standards. Please review each school’s Academic Performance Index (API) and school climate survey at the link below to determine the best match for your child: http://www.cde.ca.gov/getschoolreport. In addition, please visit CA School Data at http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/ or http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.
6. How do I know which school my child will go to?
The California Education Code 48200 states that where you live determines where your child attends a traditional public school.
You may request a permit to transfer however permits are not always granted from your home school district. If you live on base housing your home school district is the MUROC Joint Unified school district. Please visit their web site to obtain a permit to transfer application at www.muroc.k12.ca.us.
7. I want to home-school my child(ren), what do I need to do?
To learn what options your local schools offer, start by asking the public school district in which you live what programs allow schooling at home. A more detailed discussion of the various educational options available is located in the CDE Fact Book 2009 (pages 94-99) on the CDE Fact Book Web page http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/psfaq.asp#D.
8. What is needed to register my child?
Certified copy of a birth record, immunization record, proof of residency, and contact info for last school attended. For Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Kindergarten & 1st grade, if 1st grader has not attended Kindergarten a physical examination and dental screening is required. For special needs, a copy of latest IEP and last evaluation. Copy of Cumulative Folder: Current Schedule/Report Cards/Test Scores and Course Descriptions/Grading Scale if available for 6th grade and above.
9. What is a Magnet School? Are all Magnet Schools gifted in nature?
Federally approved voluntary desegregation plan offering a specialized curriculum, to a student body representing a cross section of the community. They attract students of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds with similar educational interests, provide unique sets of learning opportunities, encourage innovation, and promote academic gains for students. Not all magnet schools are gifted.
10. What if my child has special needs?
Edwards AFB has the Exceptional Family Member Program – Family Support (EFMP-FS) and the EFMP-Medical. The EFMP-FS Specialist can help navigate and/or connect with community and family support services through:
Information and Referral (before, during, and after PCS) to on-base, local, state, and federal services
Support Services in the form of outreach
Community awareness and education on EFMP
For more information, call the EFMP-Family Support Coordinator, Ms. Stefanie Warner, at 277-0723
Public School Districts
• Antelope Valley Union High School: www.avdistrict.org
• Acton-Aqua Dulce Unified: www.aadusd.k12.ca.us
• Eastside Union K-8: www.eastside.k12.ca.us
• El Tejon Unified School District: el-tejon.k12.ca.us
• Gorman Joint Gorman Elementary School: gormanschool.com
• Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union: http://www.helus.org
• Keppel Union School District: https://www.keppelunion.org/
• Lancaster K-8: www.lancsd.org
• Mojave Unified K-12: www.mojave.k12.ca.us
• Muroc Joint Unified K-12: www.muroc.k12.ca.us
• Palmdale K-8: www.palmdalesd.org
• Southern Kern Unified K-12: www.skusd.k12.ca.us
• Tehachapi Unified K-12: tehachapiusd.com
• Westside Union: www.westside.k12.ca.us
• Wilsona School District: wilsonasd.net
Military One Source Installations
Connect with School Liaisons Worldwide.
Edwards School Liaison Facebook Page
Access the Edwards School Liaison Facebook Page
Plan My Move
DoDEA
Military Impacted School Association
Youth Sponsorship Program
So you’re moving! Are you nervous? Scared? Excited? Would you like to get to know someone your age, with similar interests at your new base? A youth sponsor can provide you with info about schools, shopping, and culture & maybe even become your bestie!
Would you like a sponsor? The Youth Sponsorship Program is a way to connect with youth and teens at Edwards.
Fill out the Youth Sponsorship request form and our Youth Programs and/or School Liaison will match you up according to gender, age/grade, and interests/hobbies.
Expanded Eligibility Pilot Program
Edwards Air Force Base School Liaison Program
Home Schooling Legal Defense Association
Student Aid
Military Student
Air Force School Liaison Program
The Mission of the School Liaison Officer (SLO) at Edwards AFB is to
coordinate education support services to maximize opportunities for
academic success for transitioning military and civilian children/youth.
The SLO is the central point of contact for school related matters working
directly with Edwards base leadership, families, school districts, and local
communities. The SLO fosters and promotes quality education for military
and civilian children by providing resource and referral services to family
support agencies on Edwards AFB and in the local community.
On-Base Schools Information:
Muroc Joint Unified School District
760.769.4821; http://www.muroc.k12.ca.us
Desert Junior-Senior High School, home of the Scorpions, is a 7-12
junior-senior high school proud to educate and serve military connected
students and families of Edwards Air Force Base and beyond.
760.306.4964
Irving L. Branch Elementary School, home of the Mustangs, is a 3-6
grade elementary school proud to educate and serve military connected
students and families of Edwards Air Force Base and beyond.
760.306.4966
Edwards AFB School Liaison Officer
661.277.2456; 412.FSS.School.Liaison@us.af.mil
Some Ways In Which The School Liaison Can Assist:
- Parent Workshops
- School Based Military Student Transition Support Programs
- Deployment Support
- JROTC Support
- DoD/AF STEM Program
- STARBASE Program
- Military Interstate Compact Compliance (MIC3)
- Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC) Support
- Federal Impact Aid
- Information on local schools and boundaries
- Home school support
- Inbound and outbound transfers
- Graduation requirements
- Schools and community outreach
- College, Career, and Military Readiness
- School and installation-based partnerships and sponsorship programs
- Special Education Policy Navigation (e.g., IEPs and 504 Plans)
- Scholarship and Grant Information
- Installation, School, and Community Support
School Liaison Program Manager
Rebecca Balkenbush
Comm: 661.277.2456 | DSN: 527.2456 | Work Cell: 661.902.8335
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