DoDEA launches online summer learning resources

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — June 8, 2020 — With the summer recess period just around the corner, DoDEA is launching a web-based Summer Learning Program intended to keep K-8 students and their parents connected, active, and engaged in learning.

Summer learning resources have the potential to help children and youth improve their academic skills. Expanded learning time during the summer months promotes curiosity and creativity while providing practice and enrichment in math and language arts.

DoDEA’s Summer Learning resources are being offered to help reduce summer learning loss and to prepare students to continue their education in the coming school year. Some educational studies have found that, over the summer, students can lose a significant percentage of their math and reading skills. DoDEA officials recognize that this instructional loss may be compounded by the recent interruption in the current school year brought about by the global pandemic.

Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Beth Narvaez, recognizes that the last few months have been challenging for teachers, parents and students alike as our communities and schools have navigated and admirably taken measures to mitigate the impact of these unprecedented times.

“We want parents and students to know that DoDEA is here for you throughout the summer,” said Narvaez. “We can’t wait for the day when we can welcome students back into our classrooms, but in the meantime, we will stay connected, provide engaging learning activities, and even include some fun social media challenges along the way.”

DoDEA’s web-based Summer Learning Program has been designed this year to be more engaging, and to leverage social media to promote learning activities and showcase student projects throughout the summer. The website will provide DoDEA students and parents with:

• Information around grade level core concepts and knowledge;
• Activity examples that can help maintain and build skills;
• Project ideas that engage and excite; and
• Access to online libraries of books and digital media.

“We're doing this by creating multidisciplinary projects that students can work through with minimal help. The website will host a number of enrichment opportunities and individual practice and fluency sites that kids can access to stay sharp,” Dr Narvaez, noted.

The DoDEA Summer Learning website provides grades K-8 students and parents with educational resources to bridge learning between the current and upcoming school years. These resources will include the following:

• Overviews describing what grades K-8 students should know and be able to do in each grade level;
• A centralized access point to DoDEA’s online libraries of e-books and digital media;
• Engaging projects that integrate multiple subject areas;
• Easy-to-use readiness checks for math and reading; and
• Free online resources available for students in core content areas.

(This is all in the bullets above) Additional features will be added throughout the summer, ensuring that students will always find something new to explore.

Parents are invited to stay tuned over the summer to both the Summer Learning website and the DoDEA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dodea.edu/) for updated content. For students and parents without connectivity and needing a paper version, printed packets of selected learning activities will also be available over the summer for pick-up at schools. Parents may contact their local principal if they need the paper versions.

DoDEA has created an email link on the website to address questions or to seek help with access to any of our learning resources. A DoDEA team member will respond within 24 hours to assist.

Parents and students must have the individual username and password assigned to students in order to have full access to some of the resources over the summer. Parents/Students should ensure that they have that username/password before the school year ends. Classroom teachers can provide that information.

The DoDEA Summer Learning website is found at: https://www.dodea.edu/summerlearning/.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.