DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VA — June 15, 2010 — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership awarded two grants to the Fort Bragg Area School Districts through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 10 Competitive Grant Program.
The Hoke County School District received a $552,000 grant and the Moore County School District received a $186,000 grant. The amount of the grant awards range from $100,000 to $2,500,000 based on military student enrollment at the target schools.
“Our grant program provides needed funding for schools serving the children of our military service members,” said Dr. Shirley Miles, Director, DoDEA. “These students face unique challenges being in a military family and we are proud to be able to help the school districts that support them.”
The Hoke County grant will fund Engage Me: Providing Interactive Learning Experiences for Students Through the Use of Interactive Technology in the Classroom. This program is designed to increase student achievement and improve teacher quality. The main goals are to (1) increase achievement of K-5 students at Rockfish Hoke Elementary School in math and science and (2) provide focused professional development for teachers to aid in designing and developing engaging, interactive, and technology infused lessons for all students.
“This grant opportunity is going to provide numerous possibilities for Rockfish Hoke Elementary School,” said Jason Atkinson, Director of Technology, Media, and Arts Education, Hoke County Schools . “Through the use of interactive learning resources, the individual learning needs of each student will be addressed.”
“As technology is so rich in our society now, providing an educational environment full of technology resources will stimulate higher order thinking skills and bring learning more personal for each student,” Atkinson said. “We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to our partnership with DoDEA.”
The Moore County Grant will fund a program called Integrating Technology for Engagement in Language Arts Learning. This program will bridge the literacy achievement gap by increasing student access to technology. Mobile computer labs and digital book readers will be acquired and professional development will enable teachers to integrate project-based learning strategies into the classroom using technology.
“The role of technology in a student’s education cannot be underestimated. It must be relevant and state-of-the-art in order to prepare students for the demands of the 21st Century which means the needs in this area are ever-changing and ongoing,” said Dr. Susan R. Purser, Superintendent Moore County School District.
“This grant increases our ability to provide the quality of technology instruction that is so necessary for the future of our students and is especially significant in light of the difficult economic times that are impacting education so greatly,” Purser added.
While the aim of the program is to enhance the education of military students, funds may be used to raise student achievement for all students at the schools.
All grants focus on enhancing student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools. Some grants also have a counseling component that focuses on easing the challenges that military students face due to transitions and deployments.
While some active duty military families are stationed in overseas locations, the majority live on or near a military installation in the U.S. Approximately 60% of the children of military families in the U.S. are school age and the majority of them attend public schools throughout the nation.
DoDEA’s Partnership program provides information and support to increase understanding of the unique needs of military children as well as academic support to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for military children. DoDEA’s aim is to enhance the education of military students, but funds may be used to raise student achievement for all students.
DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.