DoWEA Revises Blueprint for Continuous Improvement

The Department of War Education Activity released its 2026 Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, outlining the next phase of its multi-year roadmap to transform its operations, advance its mission, and support military-connected students worldwide.

This strategic roadmap builds on prior efforts, while responding to evolving educational demands, workforce expectations, technological advancements, and the unique needs of military families. “The revised Blueprint is not a destination—it is a direction,” said Mr. Paul Craft, Director of DoWEA. "We have taken an honest and clear-eyed look at where we are and where we need to go. This revision reflects that clarity and is grounded in what works, focused on what matters, and built around an unwavering commitment to every military-connected student and family that we serve.”

The 2026 Blueprint for Continuous Improvement unites the system under a shared vision for growth and improvement, centered on four core pillars: Student Excellence, Instructional Excellence, Service Excellence, and Organizational Excellence.

• Student Excellence: Focuses on the promotion of rigorous academic standards through high-quality, standards-based instruction; a renewed emphasis on foundational subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, and physical education; and the annual measurement of student growth.
• Instructional Excellence: Empowers educators through high-impact professional learning and leadership development; streamlined administrative processes; prioritization of instructional leadership, classroom observation, and coaching; and the introduction of classical education in phases.
• Service Excellence: Focuses on driving transparent, responsive, and family-centered engagement, and providing parents with clear, timely, and meaningful information by expanding flexible academic pathways and learning options for families, and strengthening systems that support smooth transitions between grades, schools, and systems.
• Organizational Excellence: Positions DoWEA as a responsive, innovative, and forward-looking system through the safe, ethical, and strategic integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into learning and operations.

DoWEA will continue to refine the Blueprint in response to emerging priorities and the evolving needs of students, parents, teachers, and staff, ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education that prepares them for future success. “Every update and every refinement bring us closer to the world-class education that our students deserve,” added Craft.

DoWEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade education programs for school-age children of Department of War personnel, serving nearly 66,000 students across more than 160 schools in the Americas, Europe, the Pacific, and beyond. For more information, visit Blueprint for Continuous Improvement | DoDEA.