Review of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Schools. Volume I: Main Report and Appendixes. IDA Paper.

During school year 1998-99, military leaders and parents expressed discontent about the quality of education in Department of Defense (DoD) dependent schools in Europe. Concerned that these education issues were having an adverse impact on the quality of life of military members and families in Europe, and were creating morale and potential retention problems, the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) requested that the Institute for Defense Analyses conduct an independent review of DoD schools. Study goals were to provide an objective assessment of the quality of education in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, examine command and parental issues and concerns about educational quality and expectations for students' educational experience, examine issues and concerns identified by DoDEA personnel, and make recommendations about how to respond to any differences between parental perceptions and expectations, and actual performance of DoDEA schools. After the summary, seven chapters address: (1) background; (2) study objectives and approach; (3) student achievement; (4) curriculum; (5) teachers and administration; (6) school environment; and (7) Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) management and relationships. Appendices include a condensed history of DoDEA, study objectives and approach, student achievement, curriculum, teachers and administrators, school environment, DoDEA management and relationships, recommendations, glossary, and references. (Contains 186 references.) (RT)