The New Jersey School Boards Association is spearheading an effort with the other major education groups in the state to encourage schools to hold a “Military Opportunities Day” in schools this fall. The initiative is aimed at informing students and families about the opportunities that the United States military provides for post-secondary education and career training.
“Many parents and students do not realize that the U.S. military offers important benefits such as scholarships and more than 200 training opportunities that result in certifications and microcredentials in many fields,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director.
A letter from Leadership for Educational Excellence, a coalition of New Jersey’s statewide educational organizations, has been sent to all board members, superintendents and school business administrators with suggested activities for a Military Opportunities Day. These include presentations about the various service branches, career exploration workshops, information on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test, and sessions geared for parents on education and career opportunities available to their children in the military.
The letter also includes a list of military recruiting agencies that can help schools develop a Military Opportunities Day. The list can be found here.
NJSBA has had a unique partnership with the U.S. Army that has resulted in having a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education specialist embedded at the Association, at no cost to NJSBA. We believe NJSBA is the only state school boards association in the country to have such a STEAM consultant available to work with local school districts.
Education groups joining NJSBA in promoting Military Opportunities Day include the N.J. Association of School Administrators; the N.J. Education Association, the N.J. Principals and Supervisors Association; the N.J. Association of School Business Officials; and the N.J. PTA.
The New Jersey Department of Education, the U.S. Army, America’s Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force, and the Army National Guard are working with the state’s education groups in supporting this effort.