DoDEA Announces Strategic Future Ready DoDEA Initiative to Strengthen Support for Military-Connected Students

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has launched a comprehensive, mission-aligned transformation of its organizational structure in direct support of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Workforce Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative. This strategic realignment is designed to better serve military-connected students and families through smarter resource allocation, strengthened leadership and professional development, and enhanced support at every level of the school system.

This transformation will be in place by next school year and is guided by the forthcoming Blueprint for Continuous Improvement – DoDEA’s new five-year strategic plan—prioritizes student success, instructional quality, and adaptability without disrupting classroom instruction or student services. Core services and teacher-to-student ratios remain unchanged, ensuring continuity, stability, and high-quality learning environments across DoDEA schools.

“This is not change for the sake of change—it’s targeted, strategic, and rooted in our mission to support military-connected students,” said Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Director for DoDEA.  “We are transforming our workforce to meet the future head-on, while preserving the academic excellence that our families depend on.”

In November 2024, DoDEA invited parents, students, educators, and leaders to participate in a systemwide questionnaire on Future Ready Learners. This data was foundational in shaping the Blueprint for Continuous Improvement and guided many of the transformation decisions now being implemented. In addition to parents and students, teacher leaders, Continuous School Improvement (CSI) Chairs, and district, regional, and headquarters staff also contributed to the planning process.

Key Transformation Highlights

• Creation of New Roles: Including Administrative Officers at nearly every school to streamline operations and free principals to focus on instructional leadership.
• Enhanced Psychological Support: Lowering the student-to-psychologist ratio from 1:900 to 1:700 to expand timely mental health services and academic assessments.
• Instructional Technology Realignment: Transitioning School Educational Technologists to district-level Instructional Systems Specialists to provide consistent, expert support in digital learning.
• Strategic Reassignment & Voluntary Separation Programs: DoDEA is actively managing workforce shaping tools including Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) to avoid involuntary separations and retain top talent.

The DoDEA Future Ready Initiative directly supports the unique needs of military families by ensuring consistent, high-quality education wherever military service takes them. As part of the transformation, DoDEA is:

• Strengthening leadership structures at the school level.
• Investing in professional development for educators.
• Ensuring smoother student transitions between schools.
• Promoting innovation and agility across the school system.

DoDEA is committed to open, proactive communication with its staff, families, and military partners. Every staffing decision has been guided by data, strategic priorities, and a long-term vision to strengthen the learning experience for students across all grades and locations.

While 88% of DoDEA’s workforce is positioned at the school level, 12% serve in above-school roles – which absorbed one-third of the organizational transformation. This deliberate focus ensures classroom instruction remains uninterrupted while the broader system becomes more efficient, aligned, and mission-ready. From headquarters to regional offices, DoDEA is streamlining operations to reinforce the front lines of learning: our schools and students.

As DoDEA advances the Future Ready DoDEA initiative and prepares to launch the new Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, the organization remains steadfast in its mission: to educate, engage, and empower every student for success in a dynamic, global environment.

With strategic vision, strong leadership, and unwavering support for military-connected families, DoDEA is building an agile, future-ready school system—one that ensures every student is prepared not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s opportunities.

For any questions pertaining to release please contact the Public Affairs Office at Jessica.tackaberry@dodea.edu, +49-0611-143-545-1518, +1-703-438-1070.