DoDDS

There are 11 schools servicing the Kaiserslautern Military Community, making it the largest American school system outside the Continental United States. The schools are part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense.The DoDEA Director oversees all agency functions from headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. DoDEA schools are organized into three Areas, each of which is managed by an Area Director. The three Areas are the Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe (DoDDS-E), the Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Pacific (DoDDS-P), and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) inside the United States.

DoDDS-E is headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, and is on the web at www.eu.dodea.edu. It presently operates 98 schools organized in five Districts located in nine countries: Bahrain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. All DoDDS-E schools are fully accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies. Some 6,000 educators and support staff serve its approximately 41,000 students.

The 11 schools in KMC are Ramstein Elementary School (K-2), Ramstein Intermediate School (3-5), Ramstein Middle School (6-8), Ramstein High School (9-12), Vogelweh Elementary School (K-5), Kaiserslautern Elementary School (K-5), Kaiserslautern Middle School (6-8), Kaiserslautern High School (9-12), Sembach Elementary (K-3), Sembach Middle (4-8) and Landstuhl Elementary and Middle (K-8).

DoDDS-E serves the children of military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees throughout the European Command. Children of enlisted military personnel constitute roughly 80 percent of enrollment. Since military assignments often result in frequent moves, the transient rate for DoDEA schools is 35 percent. Children of contractors, NAF employees and others may be eligible for enrollment. Some categories are required to pay tuition, which ranged from $8,268 to $18,972 in the 2006-2007 school year. Details are on the Web at www.eu.dodea.edu/enroll.htm or available from school registrars.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS ENSURE EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

DoDEA monitors student progress through the use of standardized tests. All students in grades three through 11 take the Terra Nova Achievement Test, a norm-referenced test, each spring. Every year, at every grade level tested and in every subject area, DoDEA students score above the national average. DoDDS-E fourth and eighth grade students also take the National Assessment of Educational Progress, "the Nation's Report Card." DoDDS-E student scores consistently rank at or near the top of the scale when compared with the scores of other participating states and jurisdictions.

DODDS-E INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IS BROAD AND DEEP

Administration of plans and programs is managed by the Director, DoDDS-E, and by the five District Superintendents. The DoDDS-E instructional program provides a comprehensive pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade curriculum that is competitive with that of any school system in the United States. The curriculum includes Early Childhood and Special Education components. A wide range of rigorous courses is offered to enable students to excel academically. Older students benefit from curricular enhancements such as Advanced Placement and Professional Technical Studies classes. In-depth descriptions of DoDDS-E curricular and adjunct programs are on the web at www.eu.dodea.edu/ed/curricmenu2.htm#curricular.

Advanced technology is integrated into every content area beginning in the lower grades. Supplementary programs include foreign language, Talented and Gifted, host nation and compensatory education classes. DoDDS-E also runs an extensive distance-learning program that enables students in remote sites or small schools to take the most advanced courses.

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, DoDDS-E provides appropriate public education to eligible students with disabilities. A full continuum of special education services is available. Families should consult with Exceptional Family Member Program representatives to learn about specific services available at each site.

DoDDS-E maintains a high school graduation rate of approximately 95%. In 2005, the 3,395 graduating seniors in DODEA earned more than $33 million in scholarships, aid and grants. DoDDS Europe captured more than half of that with their seniors earning nearly $18 million.

REGISTRATION, TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be accomplished online at www.eu.dodea.edu/schoolregister.htm. However, upon arrival at school, required, hard-copy documents include: sponsor's travel orders or similar documents of eligibility; child's immunization record; birth certificate or passport of new kindergarteners or first-graders to verify the date of birth; and student records from schools previously attended.

For DoDDS-E graduates and students moving on to other school systems, record and transcript request procedures are detailed on the web at www.dodea.edu/transcript.

COMMITTED TO THE EDUCATION OF AMERICA'S MILITARY CHILDREN

DoDDS-E embraces and promotes the DoDEA vision of "Communities Committed to SUCCESS for ALL Students." DoDDS-E teachers and administrators are committed to providing exemplary educational programs that inspire and prepare students for success in a global environment through enforcing standards and accountability to promote student achievement; trust and respect for the rights of others; unlimited opportunities to reach and exceed high expectations, and dedication to lifelong learning. DoDDS-E wants every soldier, sailor, airman, marine, DoD civilian, and contractor to be confident that they made the right choice in bringing their families to Europe.