A Message from the Director, DoDDS Pacific

     Last week my message focused on the Goal 1, Highest Student Achievement, Outcome A, of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and the development and implementation of rigorous content standards.  We in DoDDS Pacific are committed to all students meeting or exceeding these challenging academic standards.  From a practical perspective, Outcome B of Goal 1 suggests that in order to ensure academic success for ALL students, schools must make certain "students have access to varied and challenging learning opportunities and appropriate interventions and /or modifications to ensure continuous learning.”
 
     This week I would like to address a significant support initiative for high school students that has begun this school year.   The High Schools of Excellence initiative, supported by Department of Defense Program Objective Memorandum (POM) funds, provides resources to assist all high schools in offering consistent and clearly defined academic support classes.  All high schools and districts offices have received the list of support classes to be offered through this initiative and, in fact, instruction has already begun in most high schools.
 
      A vital component of this program includes support classes for Algebra I students scoring below the 50th percentile on standardized tests, and for students scoring below the 25th percentile in reading.  During School Year 2002-2003 it is expected that all Pacific high schools will schedule and implement these support classes.  Schools with a student population of 1-500 have received their additional support class staffing.  Schools over 500 have received a .5 FTE for School Year 2002-2003.  In School Year 2003-04 these schools will receive their complete support class staffing allocations.  The additional resources provided by the POM, along with current school resources, are the basis for staffing the student support programs in all our high schools.  The expectation is that in School Year 2003-2004 all high schools will have support classes in Algebra I, geometry, reading, and English language arts.
 
     High school principals are expected to work closely with support class teachers and counselors to discuss program guidelines, to identify students who require support, to establish classes, and to monitor student progress.  Additionally, all Algebra I teachers and Algebra I support teachers will attend training sessions planned during the fall and again in spring of SY 2002-2003.  Also, all Reading Support teachers will continue their training with sessions in the fall and spring.
 
     I am confident that the programs described above, along with the already established AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) programs in each high school, will have a positive impact on students who may be experiencing difficulty.  Schools are charged with using innovative practices to encourage and facilitate high student achievement.  School Improvement teams throughout the Pacific are working to develop research based instructional practices that will improve learning for all learners.  Responsibility for student success is a shared responsibility that will take dedicated effort and thoughtful planning from all of us.
 

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific