DoDDS Pacific in the vanguard of the President's education initiative. DoDDS Pacific is a step ahead in several areas of the President's national agenda for education relating to assessment and accountability, professional development, and parent empowerment. The educational and resource emphasis in DoDDS Pacific has many parallels to the initiatives authorized in the President's No Child Left Behind Act. Historically, DoDDS Pacific has supported the President's national education agenda through the five-year Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Community Strategic Plan (CSP), the blueprint for education reform. It serves as the springboard for educational, funding, and organizational improvements.

Community Strategic Plan calls for expanded annual systemwide assessments. DoDDS Pacific is in the forefront of school systems giving annual assessments. For many years, an annual standardized, systemwide assessment (CTB TerraNova), in math, reading/language arts, social studies, and science, has been administered to all students grades 3-11. The new DoDEA CSP has expanded the systemwide testing program to include additional internal and external assessments as well as end of course examinations for high school students. The following assessments have been planned for SY 2001-2002: Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (October), National Assessment of Educational Progress (February), TerraNova (March), Writing Assessment (April-May), Balanced Assessment in Math (April-May), Communications Arts Performance Assessment (April-May) and Algebra-I End-of-Course Assessment (April-May). The additional assessment data will provide teachers and parents with deeper insights about how children are learning.

DoDDS Pacific identifies cuts based on DOD Program Budget Decisions (PBD). The DoDDS Pacific baseline budget has been significantly impacted as a result of PBD 623, Congressional Action Defense Wide Operations, and PBD 734, Cross-Cutting Congressional Adjustments. The current PBD far exceeds past reductions. To absorb the shortfall, discretionary costs that can be adjusted and that have a minimal direct impact on school level operations, teachers, and students were targeted. DoDDS Pacific will execute reductions in facility projects, technology initiatives, employee travel and training, student transportation, and logistical support. Some reductions may be unavoidable in such areas as facility renovations, acquisition of additional computers, and travel to provide on-site support. At the district level, superintendents will execute proportional cuts to their budgets.

DoDEA Director scheduled to visit Korea District. Dr. Joseph Tafoya, Director, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), plans to visit schools in Korea from March 18-21, 2002. Dr. Tafoya's tour of DoDDS Korea will encompass schools in Seoul, Osan, Taegu, Pusan and Chinhae. He also plans to visit with military commands during his week long tour.

Dependents Education Council (DEC) meets. Dr. Bresell attended the bi-yearly DEC meeting held in Arlington, VA, February 6, 2002. Major topics addressed by the DEC included overseas screening of civilian employees and the Exceptional Family Members Program, home schooling, and military construction. Attendees from the Pacific included Deputy CofS, US Pacific Command; Deputy Commanding General, 9th Theater Support Group; Commanding General, 19th Theater Support Command; USN, SES, Executive Director, Shore Installation Management, CINCPACFLT N46A; and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, CINCPACFLT. Others providing information from their commands included: PACAF/DP and USMC, Asst. CofS, Marine Forces Pacific. The DEC provides a consultative relationship among the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy, the DoDEA Director, Military Services representatives, and Combatant Command general level officers on matters pertaining to dependents' education.

Three DoDDS Pacific students win school bus safety poster contest. Winners of the International Division of the annual school bus safety poster contest were announced at the National Association of Pupil Transportation conference in Nashville, TN. First place winner was from Seoul Middle School, Seoul, Korea; second place from Lester Middle School, Okinawa, Japan; third place was from Sollars Elementary School, Misawa, Japan. Winners were also named in a recent issue of the School Bus Fleet national publication.

Guam students recognized in 2001 Letters to the Front Worldwide contest. Three Guam South E/MS students were recently notified they were local 1st Place Winners in the 2001 Letters to the Front Worldwide Letter Writing contest. Letters from commissary patrons and children at both DOD and civilian schools poured in from 49 states and over 160 military installations worldwide. The best letters in each age group won prizes ranging from T-shirts to scholarship funds and a computer. The contest was developed in 1999 to generate letters of support for American troops stationed overseas.