Hawaii public schools receive $5 million grant from the Department of Defense

By DoDEA Communications and U.S. Army Garrison HawaiiOctober 26, 2022

(Photo Credit: Rush, Stephanie A Ms. CIV USA) VIEW ORIGINAL

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii is excited to announce that the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) recently awarded grants to military-connected schools in Hawaii.

This investment represents $5 million in fiscal year 22 funding to support military-connected student achievement. Hawaii State Department of Education complex areas serving military children received grants. The Aiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area received $2 million, the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua and Campbell-Kapolei complex areas received $1 million, and the Kailua-Kalaheo complex area received $2 million.

“These grants help to improve educational resources in our public schools in Hawaii that support military families here in Hawaii. Investing in our keiki is incredibly important and these grants help demonstrate the importance of our public school system and the education it provides,” said Col. Steve McGunegle, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii commander.

The DoDEA grants are focused on improving educational outcomes, narrowing achievement gaps, and providing access to academic programs that promote continuity in districts with a high population of military-connected students. The grants focus on Military Connected Academic, and Support Programs and World Language Advancement and Readiness.

The DoDEA grant program has proven to be a powerful tool over the past decade, providing resources to school districts educating approximately one million military-connected students in 36 states. Since 2009, DoDEA has awarded over 600 grants, totaling more than $716 million. These grants have impacted more than 3 million students in more than 140 local education agencies across the United States.

This is the second year that DoDEA has awarded grants to establish, improve, or expand world language programs. Experts indicate that students learning languages starting at the K-12 levels develop higher language proficiency than those starting in college – therefore, exposing students to world languages is critical to developing and sustaining the pipeline of individuals with skills needed to address national security and economic competitiveness needs.

The DoDEA Education Partnership and Resources division’s work extends to military-connected students in U.S. and foreign locations that are not directly served by a DoDEA school. Through collaboration with multiple internal and external partners, technical assistance, resources and support are provided to facilitate continuity of education and equitable learning experiences for military-connected transitioning students PreK-grade 12. Learn more about DoDEA Grants at www.dodea.edu/partnership.