The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) awarded a grant to Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program. USD 383 received a grant in the amount of $452,400.00. The amount of the grant is based on the number of military-connected students within the school district.

"The Department of Defense Education Activity Grant reinforces our partnership with the Central Flint Hills Region," said Nikki Crisman, Fort Riley's Child and Youth Services coordinator.  "Additionally it reinforces our partnership for Soldiers and Families who live and work in Manhattan and Ogden." 

Crisman said the grant enhances educational opportunities for Soldiers and their Families, which directly impacts military readiness, retention and recruitment.

"Military Families pursue assignments where they have access to quality schools and education for their children," she said. "This grant will strengthen our community partnerships, as well as establish Fort Riley as the premiere division-level post in the world."

The grant focuses on enhancing student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools with projected military student growth between 2007 and 2009 due to force structure changes.

 The Manhattan–Ogden USD 383 grant developed a tiered, multi-year strategic plan with five phases for raising student achievement levels above Adequate Yearly Progress. The focus will be on providing teachers and administrators with professional development on implementing "Data Driven Instruction" and providing extended day tutoring opportunities for academically at-risk students.

"We are thrilled to be recipients of the Department of Defense Education Activity's grant," said Carol Adams, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383. "This grant expands professional development activities and enhances our district's professional development goals.  In our efforts to improve student achievement, we'll target activities focused on the use of district technology and software, particularly Infinite Campus, Compass Learning, and Measures of Academic Progress."

"Our teachers and administrators will apply these tools in managing student data, in monitoring student progress, and in communicating this information in timely ways with parents and students," Adams added. "At the same time, we'll support academically focused extended day programs in our schools.  Together these goals will lead our students to greater success.  We look forward to our partnership with DoDEA."

"This is the first year DoDEA has been able to execute our grant program and it's very gratifying to be able to offer assistance to the schools that are educating our military's children." said Dr. Shirley Miles, Director of DoDEA. "We are looking forward to seeing how the districts implement the programs they've developed. We know that all children in the grant recipient districts will benefit from these awards."

DoDEA's aim is to enhance the education of military students, but funds may be used to raise student achievement for all students.

In FY 2007, the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act allowed DoDEA to expand its reach to the approximately 92% of military students that do not attend DoDEA Schools.   Through collaboration with the Department of Education, DoDEA is working to ease the transition of military students and providing resources to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) who educate military dependent students.  

DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.