Virtual School Introduction 
Categories of Eligibility for Attendance in DoDEA Schools Overseas
Category 1
A student is the dependent of a service member or DoD civilian and is on the official orders placing them overseas and receiving housing allowance. Space-required, tuition-free.
(FMS or MAP)
A student is the dependent of a person who is either in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or the Military Assistance Program (MAP). Space-required, tuition-paying.
(DoD Contractor)
A student is the dependent of a DoD Contractor. Space-created, tuition paying.
Category 2
(Federally Connected)
A student is the dependent of a person who is a U.S. Government Agency Employee other than DoD. Space-available, tuition-paying.
Category 3
(Non-Command Sponsored)
A student is the dependent of a service member or DoD civilian and in not on official orders, or on a special waiver category. Space-available, tuition-free.
Category 4
(Non-Federally Connected)
A student is the dependent of a person who is not in any of the above categories. Space-available, tuition-paying.
Virtual School
DoDEA has a proud, 60+ year history of providing quality education for children of military families, the majority of which has been taught in traditional "brick and mortar" classrooms. As an organization dedicated to continually improving the education experience for our students, DoDEA is currently developing additional academic opportunities through the use of 21st Century learning and communication tools.
"We are in the process of developing a fully- accredited Virtual High School," said Patricia Riley, Chief of DoDEA Distance Learning/Virtual School. "This doesn't mean we would expect students to attend the Virtual School from 9th through 12th grade, necessarily, but the Virtual High School will increase education options for DoDEA- eligible students."
Although DoDEA has offered distance- learning courses since the early 1980s, the Virtual School will eventually offer a complete curriculum of courses necessary for a student to graduate from high school.
"This is our transition year," said Riley. "The true launch of the Virtual High School will occur in the 2010- 2011 school year. Right now we're focusing on transitioning our distance learning program into a fully accredited comprehensive virtual high school."
Overseas, the Virtual High School will use the same criteria for eligibility as DoDEA schools. Eligibility for enrollment in DoDEA's overseas school system is determined through categories (see sidebar). Eligibility for attendance in DoDEA schools in the continental U.S. remains the same - the sponsor must be assigned permanent quarters on the installation and an active duty or federal civilian employee. According to Riley, the criteria for students located in the U.S. territories is still being clarified.
The Virtual High School will assist transitioning DoDEA students by allowing them to take classes they need regardless of their location and enhance curriculum by providing additional resources to fill gaps, assist in transition and provide flexibility in scheduling.
Riley explained that the Virtual High School is not going to replace or compete with face- to- face instruction. "If a course is offered at a local DoDEA school, a student will be required to attend that course unless there is a schedule conflict. They wouldn't have the option of taking the class virtually if they can get the same course in a traditional classroom," Riley added.
There will be 33 new courses available by the official start of the program in the fall of 2010. In addition, the Virtual High School will continue to provide courses to supplement DoDEA school offerings such as Advanced Placement courses.
"Another important distinction is that DoDEA will own the content of these courses," Riley said. "Which means the content will be the same whether you're in a DoDEA traditional classroom or you're taking the class on- line."
"So if a student was taking a course in a DoDEA school and had to leave mid - semester and move to another DoDEA school where the course wasn't offered, the student could pick up where he or she left off through the virtual class."
There will be three hubs for the Virtual High School to accommodate the three different areas of the world that the school will serve. The first hub has already been established in Wiesbaden, Germany. The second will be in Korea at Camp Humphries. The third hub will be at an as yet undetermined location within the continental U.S.
"These locations - within the different time zones - will allow for synchronous learning," said Riley.
While some learning will be able to take place any time the student chooses (reading, research, etc.) some of the requirements will be to participate in live, on- line discussions and video or audio chats. Although the use of synchronous support is not new to DoDEA's distance learning program, new and improved web- conferencing tools will enhance online instruction and provide students and teachers with opportunities to interact via the Internet.
"We're preparing our students for life in the 21st century," said Riley. "So offering them opportunities to learn in ways that utilize technology just makes sense. It's an exciting time for DoDEA whether you're an educator, a parent of a student."
