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Pursuit of Opportunity

Posted: April 1, 2018 Pursuit of Opportunity

The ability to influence educational outcomes as an agency for military-connected K-12 students is best leveraged through outreach and partnerships with school districts and the military community. Kathy Facon, Chief of Education Partnership and Resources with the Department of Defense Education Activity, does this through capitalizing on the resources of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). “DoDEA works in concert with school systems nationwide to promote continuity in academic and support programs for our militaryconnected school districts,” shared Facon. “We actively seek opportunities to learn from military-connected public school districts and share successful programs and practices in pursuit of expanding educational opportunities.”

Over the past 28 years, Kathy Facon has served in various capacities in quality of life and military family programs. In her current position, she has led efforts to implement programs in support of the educational transition of school-age children of our nation’s military members. “I have established a variety of creative and innovative outreach initiatives, such as working collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Education, and implementing a robust competitive grant program that requires the use of evidence-based practices for K-12 education program development,” shared Facon. These initiatives are based on the goals of college and career-ready standards, Social-Emotional Learning, and the criteria to increase student learning found within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Facon is also responsible for the oversight of the Non-DoD School Program and serves as the DoD representative for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3).

To date, the outreach efforts of DoDEA have impacted over two million students. Through the partnership grant program, DoDEA has awarded over 439 grants in 35 states, an investment of over $493M, which has provided resources to more than 2,900 highly military impacted public schools to support increased academic outcomes, social-emotional learning, enhanced and integrated technology, and promoted advanced placement (AP) and virtual learning opportunities. Grant outcome data shows that DoDEA efforts have greatly impacted student performance. Out of 285 school districts who were awarded Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) grants, over 79% of them increased the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency on state assessments in math, improved their average science achievement scores on nationally normed tests, and increased the percentage of students completing honors and AP math, science and engineering classes.

When asked why this work is important, Kathy shared, “Because continuity in a K-12 education matters, now more than ever, to minimize student achievement gaps in content, skill, knowledge and what students are able to do with that knowledge.” She continued, “It’s important that our military-connected students keep pace with their peers so that they are able to build their future to their full potential.” The collective resolve in the pursuit of quality educational opportunities for children of military families represents a recognition of the importance of the role education plays as both a stabilizing influence in the lives of our children and their families, and overall element of military readiness and morale of the Force.

DoDEA seeks to promote educational continuity through consistent academic and social support for military children by leveraging Military and Community Partnerships. “Partnerships such as our relationship with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) are vital to sustain collaborative integration of resources that enhance and support the educational experience for all students,” shared Facon. Facon and DoDEA will present at the 20th Annual MCEC National Training Seminar in Washington, DC, July 23-25, 2018.

“The National Training Seminar provides an opportunity to renew our commitment, refresh current information and reconnect with people who make a difference in their respective roles,” explained Kathy. “This year we are excited to highlight the approaches and successful outcomes achieved by the DoDEA Partnership Grant Program through the lens of research to practice through content and methodology. Additionally, we are excited to be the voices of students and families who have been impacted by the Military Interstate Compact.”

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