DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VA — June 18, 2010 — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership awarded grants to the Widefield and Fountain Fort Carson District School Districts through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 10 Competitive Grant Program.
The Widefield School District was awarded a $1,140,000 grant and the Fountain-Fort Carson School District was awarded a grant of $798,000. The School Districts serve students from Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). 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 Widefield grant will support a STEM Initiative to improve student achievement and reduce learning gaps by developing intervention strategies and skills in math, science and 21st century technology skills. It will provide targeted student intervention and specific staff development to enhance student success. It will also allow instructional staff to provide early interventions for students who struggle to demonstrate proficiency in math and science essential to student growth and extension in these areas.
“The focus of Widefield School District is to increase our passion for continuous student achievement which involves interventions, staff development and intentional purpose of our work,” Suzanne Royer, Director of Student Achievement, Widefield School District 3. “This grant will solidify this focus with the additional opportunities it will provide in creating conditions that allow all of us to work toward our goals successfully.”
The Fountain-Fort Carson grant will support Mastering Math by Making Connections, a program that targets grades 3-5 at three elementary schools. Teachers will receive ongoing training and support to strengthen classroom practices and fundamental understanding of math concepts, along with substantial technological equipment and improvements that will facilitate the establishment of digital classrooms.
“We are extremely excited to receive the DoDEA grant because it will allow us to provide our elementary math teachers a comprehensive level of professional development on how to teach math in a 21st century “digital” classroom.” said Debbie Pierre, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Fountain Fort Carson School District. “We believe this will prepare our students for their future and improve their achievement in math. It is an incredible opportunity to enhance our students educational experience.”
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.
“We are excited and enthusiastic about the energy this grant will generate as we continue to work together, share ideas and accomplish the goals we truly value, Royer said.”
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.