Americans cherish the freedom to choose where we live and seek work, so the dedication of military families, facing frequent moves, stands out as an exceptional commitment to service.

Yet this commitment often exacts a toll on the education opportunities for their children—a sacrifice that demands our attention.

Despite the comprehensive benefits we provide, including health care through TRICARE, the GI Bill and housing support, there is a significant gap when it comes to ensuring that military families’ children receive a high-quality education.

As a nation, it is past time that we provide these selfless families access to safe and effective learning environments that meet the needs of the children.

Unlike many of their civilian counterparts, military families can’t pick and choose where they live based on school quality or amenities. When parents are assigned to a duty station, their children are assigned to a public school—regardless of whether it is a good fit.

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Even if a military family happens to live in an area with excellent educational options, the transience of military life looms large. The average military child attends six different schools before graduating from high school, which presents a logistical nightmare.

This challenge intensifies for children with special needs who have individualized education plans that do not transfer easily from school to school, let alone across state lines.

That’s why organizations like SEALKIDS exist. A nonprofit group catering to the Naval Special Forces community, SEALKIDS offers tutoring and academic therapies to the children of SEALs, no matter where they live.

Members of other military branches deserve more organizations like this. Every military family, irrespective of their circumstances, should have the same level of support for their children’s education.

Providing that support isn’t just an educational concern, but a critical element of national security, particularly amid the ongoing military retention and recruitment crisis.

A survey by Military Times found that more than one-third of respondents said that dissatisfaction with their child’s education was “a significant factor” in whether they would remain or leave military service. The Pentagon even noted in 2016 that military parents are loath to move “if the next duty station has poorly performing schools.”

It doesn’t have to be this way. Federal lawmakers have jurisdiction over schools on military bases and the benefits available to military families. It is within Washington’s authority—and should be considered lawmakers’ responsibility—to address this need.

The quickest and most efficient way to do that would be to advance a solution that some members of Congress have already proposed.

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Following the example of Arizona, Florida and more than a dozen other states, this legislation would allow military families to access Education Savings Accounts worth approximately $6,000 to pay for education products and services.

This isn’t complicated. Recognizing that parents understand their children’s characteristics, know what their children need, and have a fundamental right to choose the resources best suited for each child’s educational journey, this legislation would deposit a portion of a child’s spending from the state education formula into a private account.

This account would then be made available to parents to purchase textbooks, hire a tutor, pay private school tuition, etc., for their children. It’s the least we can do for those who safeguard us daily.

Acknowledging the sacrifices of military families is not enough; action is paramount. While organizations such as SEALKIDS stand in the gap, offering service members the chance to challenge their children and meet their students’ needs, ESAs would empower military families to thrive while they are dedicated to serving our nation.

It’s time to turn gratitude into action and give the children in all military families a great education.