Family resources - Marine Corps Times

Education: What’s available to military families

Education facilities are available for children of service members and Defense Department employees at a number of installations. The Defense Department Education Activity oversees these facilities, which are grouped into two systems. One is the stateside Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools; the other is the overseas Department of Defense Dependents Schools.

Domestic schools. The Defense Department operates 70 DDESS schools, mostly elementary, at 16 installations in seven states and Puerto Rico, with 27,800 students enrolled, according to November 2005 DoDEA statistics. The schools offer pre-kindergarten through 12th grade for eligible children who live on the posts or bases.

Overseas schools. The Defense Department operates 151 DoDDS schools in 13 countries, serving 63,894 students. DoDDS is free for children of military members and civilian federal employees. Enrollment is guaranteed for "command-sponsored" children, those whom the active-duty member has official approval to bring overseas at government expense. Children without command sponsorship can enroll for free if space is available. Non-military children also can enroll if space is available, but they must pay tuition.

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits all DoDDS high schools. Students need 24 credits to graduate from high school; 19 must be obtained in required subjects. This DoDDS graduation requirement is for students graduating through June 2007. This requirement will change to 26 credits for students starting with graduates in 2008 and beyond.

Special education programs. DoDEA provides free education to all students with disabilities who are entitled to enroll in the military's overseas and stateside schools. The school system serves children with mild to severe disabilities. Programs are offered for children with learning, physical, communication or emotional impairments. Preschool services are provided for disabled children as young as 3 years old. Active-duty members must enroll children with disabilities in the Exceptional Family Member program. This helps ensure the child's educational and medical needs can be met.

For military families with special medical or educational needs, the Military Family Resource Center has information on the Military Homefront Web site, www.militaryhomefront.dod. mil.

The Army and Marine Corps have the Exceptional Family Member program, with advocates in installation family centers. The Navy and the Air Force have Exceptional Family Member programs and special needs coordinators in their medical treatment facilities.

Contact: Department of Defense Education Activity, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1635. Overseas schools, (703) 588-3051; Special education office, (703) 588-3148; www.dodea.edu.