DoDEA's Reorganization Initiative
Changes inside and outside the classroom are in store as DoDEA begins School Year 2009-2010. Perhaps the most important change outside the classroom will be the implementation of DoDEA's reorganization initiative that began in School Year 2008-2009.
DoDEA began its reorganization process with a review of every position above the school level. It was found that each area and district had a unique way of staffing and there were inconsistencies in the way schools were supported. In order to maximize resources and provide consistent support for the mission, DoDEA decided a realignment was necessary.
In collaboration with Area Directors and District Superintendents, a reorganization plan was developed that would better support DoDEA's efforts to support data-driven decision making, the Continuous School Improvement (CSI) process, and more importantly, incorporate the concept of continuous improvement into every aspect of a child's education. This reorganization focuses on student needs by placing assets and resources as close to school as possible to meet student needs, increase student achievement, and achieve the goals of DoDEA's Community Strategic Plan (CSP).
DoDEA's reorganization focuses on several different initiatives at the administrative and school level:
- Realignment in reporting and supervision structure for Curriculum and Instruction: DoDEA's administrative and curricular structure was reorganized to better align instructional leadership and support staff closer to the schools in order to provide districts and schools more support. This alignment, in addition to the work already done to align standards with curriculum, instruction and assessment will allow DoDEA teachers, students and parents to be better informed and better prepared at every grade level. District superintendents will report to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, who will report to the Principal Deputy Director and Associate Director for Education.
- Realignment of Area Directors' responsibilities. In order to capitalize on the experience of DoDEA's most senior leaders in the field, Area Directors have been assigned different responsibilities for School Year 2009-2010 to bring a fresh approach to field operations. The Area Directors will be responsible for directly interfacing with military commanders, managing budgets, Military Construction (MILCON), facilities, renovation, maintenance, safety and security, logistics, and co-curricular activities. The refocusing of the Area Directors' responsibilities will eliminate a fragmented focus they previously had between performing their day-to-day operations, strategic planning, education, instruction, and curriculum.
- Assignment of resource managers to schools to coordinate school business operations: A resource manager will be working at most schools to coordinate day-to-day business operations associated with running a school. This additional support will allow principals to devote their efforts and expertise to instructional leadership, focusing on education, curriculum, instruction, and highest student achievement.
