...for as long as it takes
By Staff Sgt. Alicia K. Borlik, USA
WASHINGTON -- At least 30 Department of Defense overseas schools
will have full-day kindergarten beginning next fall, said
Director Lillian Gonzales of the Department of Defense Education
Activity.
"Full-day kindergarten has been a community need for many
years," Gonzales said.
The new six-hour kindergarten classes, more than twice as long
as the present 2 1/2 hours, will allow for more individual
instruction between teachers and students, she added. "We didn't
have sufficient time to deliver the type of instruction we
believe is necessary," Gonzales said.
Gonzales said she hopes the additional class time will also
enhance parents' opportunities to participate.
The goals for kindergarten won't change, she said. "We'll have
more time to achieve our goals." By the end of the kindergarten
year, students should be on their way to reading independently
and be engaged in some real scientific, exploratory problem
solving, she explained.
The full-day kindergarten program will be phased in over the
next six years, starting this fall with schools that have
available classroom space. Construction and renovations to
accommodate future full-day programs are planned for schools
without facilities.
Gonzales is hopeful all Department of Defense Dependents Schools
will have full-day kindergarten by the year 2006. Leaving the
agency in September after serving five years as its director,
she considers the new program part of her legacy.
"I'm most proud of finally being able to deliver to our parents
the kindergarten program," she said. "It was an issue parents
brought to me four years ago. I felt committed to delivering it,
not only because they requested it, but also because I know the
value of full-day kindergarten. I believe strongly that all of
our children in DoDEA, as well as throughout the nation, should
be offered full-day programs."
Full-day kindergarten is possible because of funds included in
the president's budget to expand education programs, Gonzales
said. DoDEA also received money to reduce teacher-to-student
ratios and to pilot a summer school program in the years 2000
and 2001.
"We've identified schools where we can place both the
kindergarten and reduced parent-to-teacher ratios initially in
sites which do not require any changes in the facilities," she
said. "The reduction in class size begins at some sites this
fall. There will be a gradual phasing in as sites are prepared
to support smaller class sizes."
By the year 2006, all DoDDS schools will meet the national
standard teacher-to-student ratio of 1:18 for grades one through
three.
Gonzales said another project is a pilot summer school, now in
its early planning stages. Overseas schools are looking at how
summer schools can best serve their communities -- for instance,
at elementary, middle or high school level.
"We want our administrators and parents to come together and
determine what they need from a summer school program to extend
learning opportunities for children," Gonzales said. Each
district will have that self-determination.
All these programs are funded through 2006 and are part of the
education activity's strategic plan, Gonzales said.
American Forces Press Services
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