Assignment: DoDEA, LEAs Education, and Support

The federal government has assumed responsibility for educating children living on federal property since the 1800s by paying those children’s school tuition. The advent of the Korean War led to a significant increase in military housing. Military installations began building schools on federal properties in the southern states in the early 1950s.

There are several reasons why military children began attending schools on military installations rather than the local public schools, also known as Local Education Activities (LEAs). One significant reason is related to desegregation. Desegregation in the U.S. Military occurred prior to desegregation in public education. To support its own desegregation policies and the type of community these policies fostered, the government established desegregated schools for the children of military personnel.

In addition, state law prohibited the expenditure of tax revenues for the education of children living on federal property. The military decided to build its own schools for the children of military personnel rather than paying for these children to attend local public schools.

At present, all stateside U.S. Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) schools fall under the responsibility of the Department of Defense Title 10 under the direction of the Secretary of Defense. The overseas schools (or, DoDDS) fall under the responsibility of Title 20, Department of Education (DoDEA; School Boards for Department of Defense Domestic Schools Training Materials, 2012).

Throughout the years, there have been many changes and shifts, as well as attempts to reintegrate children into LEAs. From time to time, the cost of supporting the schools is brought into question. In addition, whenever a military installation closes, its associated school, if any, closes too.

Not all military children attend schools on military installations. Many receive quality educations at their LEAs. Regardless if a military child attends a school on a military installation or an LEA, it is important for helping professionals to know the types of education available to military children, to know how to support the needs of these students, and to know the laws that protect and support the social, emotional, and academic success of military children.

For this paper, take into account what you have learned so far about military culture, review the two videos assigned this week, and conduct some additional research to deepen your understanding of the education of military children.

Submit a 3- to 4-page paper in which you:

• Choose one family from the videos and briefly describe their circumstances as if they were an identified client
• Explain how the DoDEA school system could be utilized to help the family you chose
• Analyze how the scenarios discussed or circumstances may have been different in a civilian school
• Explain what social work strategies you would utilize with this family
• Explain how military culture played a part in this scenario

Be specific in your answers and provide examples. Cite the resources and any additional resources you use. Be sure to follow APA guidelines in your research, writing, and citation.