DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPENDENTS SCHOOLS
PACIFIC DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
UNIT 35007
APO AP 96376-5007

December 2, 2003

     A month ago, I distributed a message about the mobile military school-age dependent because of my interest in insuring DoDDS Pacific takes the necessary steps to meet the unique needs of such students. Recently DoDDS Pacific and The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) conducted a conference focused on the military child in transition. The Transition Counselor Institute (TCI©) provided professional development to prepare school counselors to recognize and address transition issues that impact military families. TCI© provided our counselors with research-based transition information as well as an opportunity to network with other counseling professionals.

     The two-day institute addressed two specific areas: 1) School Transitions and Military Life and 2) Social/Emotional Challenges, and was conducted for all DoDDS Pacific middle and high school counselors who had not previously attended the TCI. Using the Army’s Secondary Education Transition Study (SETS) research, the first phase of the institute covered such topics as understanding military life and transition, local transition issues, school transition programs, and ways to make the challenge of transition easier. The second phase addressed all aspects of mobility, life of the military child, deployment and separation, resources and support systems, military culture and post-secondary planning.

     The Military Child Education Coalition shares information for the purpose of developing systems and processes that help resolve transition issues for school-age dependents of military personnel. Two years ago, the Department of Defense Education Activity collaborated with MCEC to create Chart Your Course: Planning a Successful Journey through High School and Beyond, a packet of materials for grades 7-11 that provided tips and ideas for moving smoothly from middle school through graduation. Included in the packet is an “academic passport” for parents that provides recommendations and guidelines for sound transition planning.

     DoDDS Pacific is acutely aware of the challenges that face the military child in transition between schools, particularly when it comes to various state high school graduation requirements. DoDEA is working to understand and address the education challenges not experienced by the general population. I am committed to supporting our military-related students and families in easing the transition process and to ensuring that our students’ academic journey through middle school, high school and beyond is a successful one.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific