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In 2001 DoDEA established the High School Initiative as one of its highest educational priorities.  This Initiative has tasked our educators to re-configure the staffing, programming, and curricular design of all DODEA high schools so that our graduates are better prepared to meet the challenges of an ever-changing global community as well as the challenges of living in the 21^st century.  

The funding needed to support the various resource requirements related to the High School Initiative was approved by the Department of Defense and this funding provided DoDEA with over 114 million dollars and 200 full time teaching positions over five fiscal years to implement the various components of this Initiative.   

The specific resources and programming that have been funded through the High School Initiative include the addition of support classes for Language Arts, Algebra, and Geometry.   

DoDEA coordinated the purchase and implementation of the READ 180 Program to provide a structure for reading support for our high school students.  DoDEA also purchased and implemented the Cognitive Tutor Program to serve as a resource program in support Algebra and Geometry instruction. 

 Other components provided to high schools through this Initiative include additional staffing and course offerings to support both the Advanced Placement and the Distance Learning programs, additional staffing and resources to support a career-counseling program, and increased staffing and resources to support the implementation of a professional and technical studies program.   

The High School Initiative also ensures that every high school will receive the computer technology to establish an Interactive Counseling Center at the school to facilitate and support the transition of students. 

Additional staffing was also provided through this Initiative to support the requirements that every DODEA high school fully implement the AVID program and that every high school employ a full-time Assistant Principal to assist the principal in providing supervisory, educational, and managerial leadership to support to our schools.   

The intent of this video is to give you an overview and description of the all the components of the High School Initiative and the dramatic and exciting impact they are having on our high school environment and our high school students.

The Language Arts Lab class was added to the high school curriculum this year.  This class is designed  specifically to target students who are having difficulty mastering “Reading to Learn” skills. This course focuses intensive instruction on before, during, and after reading strategies.  The teachers of Language Arts Lab classes diligently work to develop a “print rich” environment designed to enhance each student’s reading skills.

The Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry Lab classes provide students with reinforced practice in essential algebra and geometry skills.  The classroom instructor, who modifies the students’ algebra and geometry program, routinely assesses the students’ skills.  This provides each student with accurate and timely feedback which  promotes the long-term recall.  The courses focus on both the content and procedural standards for secondary mathematics with emphasis on the use of alternative assessments, cooperative learning, project-based learning models, and technology.

The AVID program has been successfully implemented into all Bavaria District middle and high schools.  AVID is designed to help students better prepare to enter four-year colleges and universities as well as develop the skills necessary to succeed in a rigorous and challenging academic schedule.  AVID teachers and tutors work  to ensure that AVID students are receiving the academic support and extra encouragement they might not ordinarily receive in the regular classroom.  AVID meets the needs of these students by providing  rigorous academic preparation  for college entrance,. an  intensive study skills program geared toward college level work, assistance and support in coping with  the challenges of a college-prep program, an awareness of multiple career possibilities, and the challenge and encouragement to stick to a plan.

The READ 180 program was implemented to meet the needs of struggling readers.  The success of this Scholastic program is supported by years of research.  READ 180 consists of 5 critical components designed to meet the individual needs of each student.  The 5 components of a READ 180 class are taught in a 90 minute block of time.  During the class, students receive large group instruction, small group instruction, and individualized computer instruction, modeled reading, and independent reading.

Because of the success students are experiencing in the READ 180 classroom, DODEA has implement plans to have READ 180 in our elementary and our middle schools.

The Advanced Placement program is a cooperative endeavor between all of DODEA’s secondary schools and colleges and universities across America.  This rigorous academic program allows our high school students to undertake college-level academic learning in Advanced Placement courses and provides them the opportunity to demonstrate that they have mastered the Advanced Placement curriculum by successfully completing the Advanced Placement Exam.  Students who pass the AP exam can receive  college credit for the courses taken and can also receive advanced placement in courses of study at the college or university of their choice.   

AP courses make substantial academic demands on students.  Most AP courses are a full year in length.  AP students are required to do considerable outside reading and other assignments and to demonstrate the analytical skills and writing abilities expected by first-year students in a college program.  This experience helps students develop the intellectual skills and self-discipline they will need to be successful in college.

The DoDEA E-School offers distance learning courses and activities to DoDDS and DDESS students around the globe.  With the Implementation of the DoDEA-E school students have the opportunity to take courses not offered at their local schools. They interact and collaborate with other students from DoDDS and DDESS schools worldwide. They become proficient in distance learning technologies. They also take responsibility for their learning.

It is essential to have a DoDEA professional counselor trained to support and accommodate military students in transition.  Counselors with the “know how” to successfully navigate the wide variety of system requirements and numerous ways of communicating courses, grades, and programs have not previously been consistently available to high school aged military students. 

 Now, students attending DoDEA high schools will be able to interact with specifically trained transition counselors who have a shared knowledge of the issues faced by mobile military students and their families. 

 The transition counselor will have access to professional networks, technologies, resources, and support systems in order to keep current with the dynamic and diverse experiences of our students in grades 9-12.

In collaboration with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), DoDEA is piloting the Interactive Counseling Center (ICC) at several high schools including Wuerzburg High School.  The ICC provides an effective means of direct visual communication between schools and school counselors located around the world.

The Professional Technical Studies Department offers courses in many career fields to students in DoDEA middle and high schools. The mission of this department is to prepare our students to be technologically literate and employable in a global workforce.

There are 4 major strands of the Professional Technical Studies Program:

1. BUSINESS COMPUTER STUDIES
2. COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
3. ENGINEERING & SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY
4. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Business and Computer studies teach technological practices and applications for an ever-changing business world. The wide range of courses include everything from accounting, computer programming languages, Keyboarding, to business law . Identical to all programs are the identified leadership activities that enable the individual to function as an employee and leader in the American business system.

The DoDEA Communication Technology Standards includes both the graphic communication and video production program standards and are designed to help students develop an appreciation and understanding of communication technology.  The courses allow students to apply professional methods of communications technology in the areas of journalism, broadcast journalism, web development, graphic arts and publications. Technology resources access the potential of these systems and services to address personal, life-long learning, and workplace needs.

Engineering and Scientific Studies curriculum is designed to help students develop an appreciation and understanding of technology through the study and application of materials, tools, and processes of the past and present. The courses in this area allow students to apply knowledge, tools, skills, and insights to the solving of problems found in the industrial technology career areas.

Health and Human Services is the last strand of the Professional Technical Studies. Its three main components are Cosmetology, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Education.

The cosmetology program covers all areas of career development, customer service, cutting, finishing, perming and coloring. These techniques are combined to offer the student a well-balanced training program.

The DoDEA Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum is designed to prepare students for family life, work, and careers in family and consumer sciences by providing opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed for life in the 21st century.

Career education provides students with workplace readiness skills necessary for a successful transition to post-secondary education or work and desire for life-long learning in a global society.

As you've seen and heard, the implementation of the additional staffing, programs, and activities that have come to all DODEA high schools through the High School Initiative has not only increased the quality of the academic environment in our high schools, but it has also increased student access to many career related programs.  Goal 1 of  DODEA's Community Strategic Plan states  "All students will meet or exceed challenging standards in academic content so they are prepared for continuous learning and productive citizenship".   

Because of the implementation of the High School initiative, a lot of excitement and a lot of enthusiasm has been generated in DODEA’s high schools.  This initiative has provided our high schools with the programs, the activities, and the support mechanisms that are needed to achieve Goal 1 of the Community Strategic Plan.  For more information about the High School Initiative, contact your local high school principal.