News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 1999

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) today released a list of 49 Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) selected to offer full-day kindergarten in school year (SY) 1999-2000. (List attached) This represents an addition of 20 sites to the list released in April. Of the 49 sites, eighteen were also selected to implement reduced pupil-teacher ratios (PTR) in grades 1-3. A total of 25 Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) will also implement reduced PTR in grades 1-3 starting in SY 1999-2000. This represents an increase of 10 sites over those announced in April.

The selection of schools was done according to established protocols that include: the identification of priority sites through consideration of community needs; district superintendents’ and principals’ recommendations, availability of adequate classroom space; and, in the case of new full-day kindergarten classes, access to kitchen facilities, age-appropriate restrooms, and appropriate playground facilities.

Through the efforts of DoDEA and its military partners, additional funds were secured in the President’s Budget to underwrite these two critical elements of DoDEA’s early childhood education program: full-day kindergarten and reduced class size in grades 1-3. The motivation for these initiatives is to enhance and accelerate student performance. Research has shown that there are substantial academic and social benefits to be gained by children enrolled in full-day kindergarten programs. While schools in DDESS have offered full-day kindergarten programs for some time, schools in DoDDS have offered partial day kindergarten programs.

As part of its commitment to provide full-day kindergarten and reduced class size to all eligible children in the primary grades, DoDEA has also begun plans for future expansion of these initiatives. Each DoDEA area convened Initiatives Prioritization Committees (IPCs) to prioritize sites for SY 2000-2005 implementation, and to ensure maximum command and stakeholder involvement in the planning process. A worldwide IPC met at DoDEA in May to develop the overall SY 2000-2005 implementation plan.

Schools Announced for SY 1999-2000 Implementation in APRIL 1999

Schools Added to List for SY 1999-2000 Implementation

This Release in Acrobat Format (.pdf)

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