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                         March 8, 2002

Submitted by Barbara Denerstein
DCFA

Since states vary in graduation requirements, and because more and more of them are implementing stricter requirements, the Department of Defense wants to make sure military children who change schools during high school still have the "right stuff" to compete on a level playing field.

"All the states are beginning to redo their high school graduation requirements," said Joseph D. Tafoya, director of the DoD Education Activity. "Many states now require exit exams and others have a minimum level or number of classes in certain subjects.

Tafoya said keeping parents well informed is a key to smoother transitions.

"It’s important that DoD families understand what’s going on … and can make their transitions easier if they follow certain basic steps," he said.

Because many military families move at least once during the students’ high school years, it’s vital parents start charting a course and planning ahead for graduation and post-graduation opportunities. DODEA officials worked with the Military Child Education Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group, to design an information packet to help parents and students navigate a change of schools.

The MCEC packet, called "Chart Your Course: Planning a Successful Journey through High School and Beyond,"covers several key areas. It includes milestones students should reach in middle school and high school and information on extracurricular activities that are common to most schools. It also includes an "academic passport" that contains a four-year plan recommended by the MCEC.

"Parents and students must take responsibility to ensure all those requirements are met, not only for graduation, but also for college placement," Tafoya explained.

He said that parents are really the key to their child’s successful transition from one school to another.

"No one can be the advocate that a parent can be," Tafoya explained. "We believe the MCEC material will help parents become even better advocates."

Copies of packets are have been distributed to guidance counselors at O’Neil High School and the West Point Middle School. For more information, call the school liaison at 938-2025 or DCFA at 938-2103.