Walters Unveils 2023 Purple Star Campus Designation Honorees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Championing Military-Connected Student Success
Oklahoma City, Okla – Today, the Oklahoma State Department of Education is proud to announce the school districts that have earned the distinguished 2023 Purple Star Campus Designation, reaffirming Oklahoma’s commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families during their educational career.
“Oklahoma wholeheartedly supports the brave men and women in our U.S. military—a commitment that extends to the nearly 30,000 military-connected students attending Oklahoma public schools,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Together, we are honoring our dedicated military families and creating a brighter future for all students in the great state of Oklahoma.”
Oklahoma’s 2023 Purple Star Campus honorees include Bishop Public Schools, Epic Charter Schools, Navajo Public Schools, and Oklahoma Connections Academy.
The Purple Star program is designed to empower schools in addressing the unique academic and personal challenges faced by the children of active-duty military personnel, reservists, and National Guard members as they navigate the complexities of transitioning to new schools. Its overarching goal is to ensure these students are well-prepared for future success, whether that be in college, the workforce, military, or life overall.
The establishment of Purple Star Campuses in the state is made possible through Senate Bill 54 (2021), authored by Rep. Daniel Pae and former Sen. John Michael Montgomery, making Oklahoma the 12th state in the nation to implement the Purple Star program.
To qualify for the Purple Star distinction, schools must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison, create and maintain an easily accessible webpage with resources specific to military-connected students and families, institute a student-led transition program to help facilitate military-connected students’ entry into the district, provide school employees professional development related to military-connected students, and offer an initiative to recognize military-connected individuals or issue a resolution in support of military children and families.
