Director's Message5/27/03

     As we approach the end of SY 2002-03, it seems fitting to highlight the progress we have made related to our educational initiatives and the 2001-2006 DoDEA Community Strategic Plan (CSP). In DoDDS Pacific we put into effect several major programs that are instrumental to achieving the goals of the CSP.

     This year was the pre-implementation year for English Language Arts. In our effort to assist teachers in using current, research-based instructional practices that lead to highest student achievement, we provided one full day of training in the new standards and the correlation of the adopted materials to these content standards. We also systematized the method by which we replenish existing materials using a web-based format. This on-line ordering procedure allowed for a more efficient and accurate ordering process.

     During the summer of ‘02, all district superintendents and several senior leaders attended the Harvard Institute for School Leaders (HISL). Their participation resulted in the development of a DoDDS Pacific five-year initiative entitled Leading Learning. The purpose of Leading Learning is to assist principals and assistant principals develop the knowledge and skills they need in order to be leaders in the implementation of standards-based curriculum. Administrators received on-going training at district meetings and area conferences throughout SY ‘02-‘03, and at the beginning of August, principals will be trained in the areas of focus for SY ‘03-‘04. At this conference principals will experience learning activities that they will be expected to initiate and support at their schools, such as looking at student work, collaborative study groups, and improving classroom assessments.

     Our Teacher Mentor Program is in its fifth year in DoDDS Pacific. The purpose of the program is to assist new teachers in adjusting to the academic climate in DoDDS Pacific. Each year we strengthen the program and build capacity by training coordinators in the role of the mentor as instructional coach, and show them ways to train other educators to serve in this capacity. A new Teacher Mentor Coordinator Manual provides training modules for them to use in their planning for the upcoming school year.

     Another way we are building capacity in instructional best practices is with the introduction of a Curriculum and Implementation Facilitator (CIF) at every school. This person is a school based educator who will work with colleagues to research and implement best instructional practices that lead to highest student achievement. The CIF will be an important resource for educators as we increase our emphasis on standards-based curriculum and instruction. Some of the research-based practices that support a standards-based approach include teaching literacy skills, reading in the content area, inquiry, and technology infusion. Initial training for CIFs will take place at the end of the school year in June, and will provide CIFs with the knowledge and skills needed to introduce new teachers to our standards-based curriculum and begin developing an action plan for their schools.

     As part of the High School Initiative, DoDEA implemented worldwide the first of a series of support classes. In spite of the late start, this year in DoDDS Pacific support classes for reading and algebra were implemented in every high school. Support classes are designed to give high school students access to challenging and rigorous courses by providing them with academic training and support when needed. The courses are interventions that will help identified students improve their skills. The support class concept is one element of a comprehensive multi-year high school initiative that is intended to strengthen high school academic offerings at both large and small schools.

     DoDDS Pacific has placed a high priority on initiatives to promote the use of technology to improve teaching and learning in our schools. Each year we conduct multiple Far East Technology Conferences that focus on technology integration through a strategy that uses the constructivism philosophy called engaged learning. Our training efforts in engaged learning include the concepts of project-based learning, problem solving, contextual learning, and collaboration. We also initiated the DoDDS Pacific Technology Project to explore more effective strategies for equipping our classrooms with technology. The Pacific Technology Project includes fifteen classroom pilot projects that involve notebook computers, handheld computing devices, and personal digital assistants. Teachers selected for these projects received extensive engaged learning training and specific training in using the equipment. Next year, we will evaluate the effectiveness of each of these pilots and use the results to determine future technology infusion plans.

     DoDDS Pacific is in the process of updating its school-level funding model to provide guidelines and timelines for replenishing materials, equipment, and supplies for all curricular areas. In accordance with the Community Strategic Plan, this initiative allows our system to place resource allocation at the lowest operational level as well as to increase our school administrators’ abilities to make prudent decisions about the purchase of program materials. This process ensures equitable student access to resources needed to support highest student achievement.

     The success of implementing any initiative can only be measured in the outcome. Throughout the past year, both administrators and teachers have been asking, “No matter how well I led, managed, or taught, did students learn?” This is at the heart of our efforts in DoDDS Pacific. As we close School Year 2002-2003, I would like to thank everyone who has had a part in supporting and implementing the DoDDS Pacific initiatives and assure you that we have just begun. I look forward to a new school year of promise and opportunity for all of our educators, and especially for the wonderful young people who fill our classrooms and our hearts with hope for the future.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific