# COMAR Title 13A — State Board of Education

## Subtitle 06 — Supporting Programs

### Chapter 10 — Purple Star Schools Program

**Authority:** Education Article, §§2-205 and 7-129, Annotated Code of Maryland, Ch. 361, Acts of 2018

**Administrative History:** Effective date: March 20, 2023 (50:5 Md. R. 182)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended effective March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md. R. 219)

#### Regulation .01 Purpose.

*COMAR 13A.06.10.01*

The purpose of this action is to implement Education Article, §7-129, Annotated Code of Maryland, which establishes a Purple Star Schools Program to recognize public schools that provide strong services and support for military-connected students and their families when, as a result of military service, a military-connected student transfers schools.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 13A.06.10.02*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Department” means the Maryland State Department of Education.

  (2) “Military-connected student” means a student who is a dependent of:

    (a) A current member of:

      (i) The United States military serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard on active duty;

      (ii) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps;

      (iii) The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps;

      (iv) The Maryland National Guard;

      (v) The National Guard of any other State; or

      (vi) A reserve force of the United States military; or

    (b) A member of a military or reserve force described in §B(2)(a) of this regulation who was killed in the line of duty.

#### Regulation .03 Criteria.

*COMAR 13A.06.10.03*

A. To be eligible for designation as a Purple Star School, a public school shall:

  (1) Designate a staff member as a military liaison, whose duties include:

    (a) Identifying military-connected students who are newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled at the school;

    (b) Serving as the point of contact between the school and the newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military-connected students and their families;

    (c) Determining appropriate school services available to newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military-connected students;

    (d) Assisting in coordinating school programs for newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military-connected students;

    (e) Providing information, resources, and professional development to school staff on the needs of military-connected students and their families; and

    (f) Generally aiding with a military-connected student’s transition to a new school;

  (2) Establish on the school’s website an easily accessible webpage that includes resources for military-connected students and their families, including information regarding:

    (a) Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at, and transferring records to the school;

    (b) Preparation for a move from a student’s current school to the school at which the student is newly enrolled or is soon to be enrolled;

    (c) Academic planning, course sequences, advanced classes, and graduation requirements;

    (d) Special education and related services; and

    (e) Counseling and other support services available for military-connected students transitioning into the school;

  (3) Maintain a transition program led by students at the school, whenever appropriate, and overseen by the designated military liaison that assists military-connected students enrolled at the school by:

    (a) Facilitating guided tours of the campus;

    (b) Organizing an orientation to familiarize the new student with school information; and

    (c) If requested, accompanying the student throughout the campus during the first week of school during school hours; and

  (4) Offer professional development to school staff on issues related to military-connected students transferring to new schools.

B. A public school may partner with a county board to fulfill the criteria described in §A of this regulation to qualify as a Purple Star School.

#### Regulation .04 Application and Renewal.

*COMAR 13A.06.10.04*

A. To be considered for designation as a Purple Star School, a public school’s military liaison shall complete an application available on the Department’s website.

B. The Department will release the Purple Star School application on December 1 of each year, beginning with the 2023—2024 school year.

C. A public school that receives the Purple Star School designation shall hold the designation for a period of 2 school years and be eligible to reapply for the designation in the final year of the 2-year period.

D. A public school that fails to receive the Purple Star School designation is eligible to reapply for the designation the following year.

#### Regulation .05 Selection Process.

*COMAR 13A.06.10.05*

A. The Department shall identify a panel of stakeholders to review Purple Star School applications based on the criteria described in Regulation .03 of this chapter.

B. The Department shall issue its decision on a Purple Star School application no later than the end of the school year in the local school system where the applicant school is located.