High-Quality Education for All!
The Department of Defense (DoD) runs an educational system for children of military members and civilian employees, which consistently achieves exceptional results surpassing those of public schools. With about 66,000 students enrolled, DoD schools outperform most jurisdictions in math and reading, particularly excelling in supporting Black and Hispanic students, and those from lower-income backgrounds. The success is attributed to factors like ample funding, competitive teacher salaries, and a systematic approach to curriculum development and teacher training, reflecting what can be achieved when students have access to basic resources and quality educators.
The fact that these schools are well-funded and equipped with ample resources underscores a fundamental problem: school funding is often contingent upon military funding rather than being rooted in comprehensive solutions accessible to all families. By tying educational excellence to military affiliation, the current model perpetuates inequities in access to quality education. Families outside the military sphere do not have the same level of support and resources available to them, resulting in disparate educational outcomes across socioeconomic and racial lines. The stark contrast between the well-funded DoD schools and many public schools, which struggle with inadequate resources and funding gaps, underscores the need for a more equitable approach to education funding. We need to ensure all students have access to high-quality education regardless of their background or affiliation.
Kendrick Brinson | The New York Times
Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department
By Sarah Mervosh | New York Times | Dec. 10, 2023