ALEXANDRIA, VA — September 10, 2012 — The Department of Defense awarded a $353,000 grant to the Virginia Beach School District through the Strategic Foreign Languages Expansion Program (S-FLEP). The Defense Language and National Security Education Office aims to expand, strengthen and coordinate strategic foreign language programs for military dependent students. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership facilitated the grant review and selection process.

The District serves students whose parents are stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Oceana and Fort Eustis.

"The Defense Language and National Security Education Office and the DoD Education Activity are pleased to partner with the Virginia Beach School District in realizing the Strategic Foreign Languages Expansion Program, which is focused on improving strategic foreign language education in military-connected schools," said Dr. Michael Nugent, Director, Defense Language and National Security Education Office

The grant will fund STARTALK and Beyond which will extend the Chinese language instruction initiated in the STARTALK Summer Program into a complete articulation through the middle and high school years in the targeted schools.

There are over a million school age children from military families, with the majority attending public schools throughout our nation. DoDEA is committed to supporting educational outcomes for all children of military families.

"We recognize that significant language gains are made at an early age and are proud to work with Virginia Beach on this endeavor and to enhance K-12 language education,” said David Edwards, Program Manager, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

To be eligible, Local Education Agencies must have a military student population of at least five percent at the district level. Participating schools must have a military student population of at least 30 percent. The S-FLEP projects may be implemented at any grade level.

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.