In a state with a strong military presence such as ours, the sacrifices made by our service men and women are understood and appreciated every day. But what is sometimes overlooked are the sacrifices made by military children as their parents protect our nation.

Among their many challenges, these children often go for months without seeing a deployed parent. And because military households relocate frequently, they are forced to make new friends as they leave other friendships behind. Instability, therefore, is something they must learn to live with.

The one anchor they have is school. Teachers and classmates will change, but the act of going to school, doing homework and taking tests will remain the same. As Advertiser writer William Cole reported, however, that stability is threatened when these children move from state to state, each with varying educational requirements.

In some cases, military students have to repeat history courses in numerous states. This is a waste of time, and it deprives these children of learning and progressing at the same rate as other students.

The Pentagon's plan to streamline this transition through a new "interstate compact" sounds promising, though more details have yet to emerge. Under the plan, schools, in some cases, would have to accept the standards of previous schools. Schools would also be required to provide records in a "timely manner," and if that's not accomplished, an unofficial copy would be accepted for placement in the meantime.

State officials appear wary, however, of becoming the pilot state, citing that more details are needed and that Hawai'i already offers transitional services for military students through the Joint Venture Education Forum.

The state is right to proceed with caution until it hears the specifics of the plan, but at the same time, it should remain open to the idea of expanding current programs. There's nothing wrong with providing even more support for military students.

Transitions for children are difficult to begin with. But for military children, they can be excruciating.

Easing their transition is the least that can be done to ensure they get the education they deserve.