Rachel Anderson’s Post

This Veterans Day - and always - we honor and celebrate the past, current, and future members of our armed services. Our nation’s servicemembers lead in teaching and community-serving positions across the country, and it's with great gratitude that we thank each veteran, and their families, for their selfless service, courage, and dedication. We are the home of the free because of the brave. In honor of Veterans Day, we highlight an analysis by Chad Aldeman, of The 74 Media: “Military Service Should Count as a Successful Pathway for Students. But First We Need Better Data About Graduates.” Aldeman’s analysis breaks down the challenges in tracking successful post-high school outcomes beyond college enrollment to also include career and military service. In response, "a group of state education chiefs [are] working behind the scenes to ask the United States Department of Defense for help in using military service as an indicator of student success." 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gha-nBcA Please join us in honoring all of our nation's veterans, including those who have served across our K-12 partners, candidates, team, and our very own President Joe E. Ross, this Veterans Day. 🇺🇸

Many #military service members separate from the armed forces with #training and skill sets in high demand sectors such as #healthcare, #IT and #cybersecurity. Yet, major workforce shortages in these same areas persist. The University of North Carolina System is looking to resolve this disconnect through a new online tool called the UNC Military Equivalency System. Higher education officials and military leaders alike hope the tool will not only ease veterans' transition into civilian life but also boost economic development in the state by guiding #adultlearners into high-demand, high-success careers.

These are all good questions but still only scratch the surface when it comes to being 'best for vets'. Designations earned by Military Times/Viqtory focus on what the organization offers in terms of programs and policies geared toward student veterans. Why not center the individual? How do student veterans and military-connected students perceive their campus climate, support by peers/faculty/staff, how welcomed do they feel, etc.? Accepting the GI Bill, having support services for student-veterans, or a student-led chapter doesn't necessarily translate to being military-friendly. The designation processes needs to change and there should be accountability.

Department of Defense schools 'outperforming' Last year, the network of schools run by the Department of Defense outperformed all 50 states on reading and math scores for both eighth graders and fourth graders. The schools, which educate about 66,000 children of service members and Defense Department civilian employees, also have smaller learning gaps between white and both Black and Hispanic students than other schools have. “If the Department of Defense schools were a state, we would all be traveling there to figure out what’s going on,” says Martin West, an education professor at Harvard. Stay ahead of the latest news and trends impacting the education world: ➡️ https://buff.ly/3bU61JX #DoDSchools #EducationPerformance #StudentSuccess #ReadingScores #MathScores #LearningAchievements #EducationEquality #EducationGap #EducationStandards #EducationExcellence #DoDImpact #EducationComparison

Military recruiting innovation. First off, there are options for junior college commissioning programs. We have one of the premier programs right here in Georgia...Georgia Military College Army ROTC. As a matter of fact, they also have one of the few Service Academy Prep Schools as well. Worth a look for those wanting a top tier education and commissioning program. The entire issue centered around compensation is nothing new...it has been an issue since I first went into the service almost 50 years ago!! There are numerous ideas on how to approach marketing for the Army. Some require changes to law and some simply require decisions from key leaders...now! Some of the other initiatives in this article are at least worth trying. We're looking at two straight years of not meeting our recruiting goal...a third year would really mean we are now "hitting bone". Take into consideration that there are about 200,000 that leave the military...every year! I know there are forecasts based on trend analysis...just not sure what options are viable AND acceptable to society if this trend continues. Ideas? Thoughts? https://lnkd.in/gZzMvfBn #armystrong  #army #beallyoucanbe #navy #airforce #vetlanta

The antiquated liberal arts higher education model is often not a good fit for military & veteran students. One reason: These students are frequently not welcomed by administrators, professors, and fellow students at “elite” colleges. Career colleges, by contrast, offer flexible schedules, career-applicable coursework, and tailored programming, which for many students make them a better option. While the Department of Education and some aligned lawmakers try to paint career colleges as greedy predators eager to pounce on unsuspecting veterans—in actuality, many veteran students choose these schools because they are a better fit for their needs and goals. Read more from NDC ‘Condescending Paternalism’ report here: https://lnkd.in/gNva8Ggi #Veterans #VeteransEducation #CondescendingPaternalism

Are you an active-duty service member wondering…. What will my out-of-pocket costs be when going back to school? When looking for the right school, understanding your out-of-pocket costs is important. These can be specific costs that your military benefits won't cover. Download our comprehensive step-by-step guide "Going to School While on Active Duty" to learn more.

St. Cloud Technical & Community College Named Best for Vets St. Cloud, Minn.—St. Cloud Technical & Community College has been named to the Military Times’ 2023 Best for Vets: College list. Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges is the largest and most comprehensive annual ranking of schools for military service members and veterans. “SCTCC’s inclusion on the Military Times’ list informs veterans that SCTCC is ensuring our servicemembers and their families feel welcome and have an easy transition to civilian life,” said Heidi Smith, advisor to the Student Veterans of America Club. “The College has and will continue to support veterans and military members by offering resources, shared spaces, and personal assistance.” The Military Times survey is sent to colleges and universities across the nation asking about their programs for veterans. The results are then analyzed, along with public data about colleges and universities obtained from the Department of Education and Department of Veterans Affairs, and turned into an official ranking. The methodology for the rankings is based on quantitative data and includes student success metrics, admissions, resources, human resources, financials, and recordkeeping. In 2023, 325 higher education institutions made the list, which includes public, private, and for-profit universities and colleges at the four- and two-year levels. SCTCC is one of three Minnesota institutions that made the list and one of two Minnesota State colleges. The 2023 rankings can be found on the Best for Vets website. “Our comprehensive survey and thoughtful methodology make our rankings best in class” said Mike Gruss, editor-in-chief at Sightline Media Group, parent company of Military Times. SCTCC is regularly listed on the Best for Vets lists and offers supports and services specifically for military veterans and their families. Additionally, SCTCC is a Yellow Ribbon Company, which shows that key areas within a company structure create a network that proactively supports servicemembers and military families. About Military Times  The Military Times is the trusted source for independent news and information for service members and their families. The military community relies on Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times, and Navy Times for reporting on everything important to their lives, including branch-specific news, pay, benefits, finance, education, health care, recreational resources, retirement, promotions, product reviews, and entertainment. Military Times is owned by Sightline Media Group. To learn more, visit www.militarytimes.com.