DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN (4) APR 2020

DIB

APR

DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN

2020

Providing Tools For Future Success In this issue:

Rebranded! Introducing “College and Career Readiness Exams”

2

Erin Roberts, DANTES Public Affairs Officer, with Stacey Kirkpatrick, Readiness Exams Program Manager

*Hot News*: COVID-19 Update

5

C

Troops to Teachers

6

College and Career Readiness Exams

Contact Information

10

DANTES Information Bulletin

hange happens. Websites are created and updated. Mobile apps come and go… and ways to complete a college degree move from the classroom to the web.

Since DANTES’ programs exist solely for the service member and their readiness is at the forefront of everything we do, DANTES has rebranded a suite of tools and resources in support of “College and Career Readiness”. These tools include three DANTES programs: College and Career Planning (Kuder), Academic Skills Training

Vol 633

(AST), and College and Career Readiness Exams, formerly referred to as College Admission Exams.

Stacey Kirkpatrick is the DANTES Program Manager for the newly-rebranded “College and Career Readiness Exams” program. She says that as the Defense Department (DoD) continues to shift its focus to overall service member readiness, DANTES is committed to aligning their programs with this strategic effort as well.

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

College and Career Readiness Exams

According to Kirkpatrick, “It’s more than a name change. College and Career Readiness Exams will continue to serve as a necessary tool for the Services’ commissioning programs. The program is also moving forward to include an emphasis on a service member’s current military career specialty, as well as supporting them when transitioning into the civilian workforce.”

A service member’s readiness in all aspects of military service is undoubtedly related to college and career planning. This is where the VolEd community is so important. In the February newsletter, we featured the Academic Skills Training Program, with the Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) and the College Placement Skills Training (CPST) course. Last month, we recapped our College and Career Planning tool, Kuder Journey. This month, we want to let you know more about the “College and Career Readiness Exams” program, previously known as “College Admission Exams.”

DANTES Information Bulletin

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS EXAMS The “College and Career Readiness Exams” program provides access to various exams that help service members improve their academic and career readiness, meet higher-education goals for postsecondary academic programs, support qualification for military-specific advancement programs, and ultimately help members succeed in their military and civilian careers. The exams program is managed by DANTES, while the individual exams are developed, maintained, and administered by national testing agencies. The DANTES Exam Reimbursement Program provides direct payments to eligible service members for the exams that are eligible for reimbursement.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Active duty, National Guard, Reserve component, and U.S. Coast Guard service members are eligible for the “College and Career Readiness Exams” program.

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

2

College and Career Readiness Exams

WHAT EXAMS ARE OFFERED? Exams offered under this program include the following: ACT® and SAT®: These exams evaluate a member’s readiness for college, career and advancement potential. Academic institutions and Service academies will often require these exams for program admission. Some schools will accept the ACT and SAT interchangeably. Members should verify exam acceptance prior to taking the exam.

GED: This exam provides nationally-recognized high school equivalency credentials leading to post-secondary education and career opportunities. A high-school diploma is still the key to most entry-level jobs, vocational training and completing a college education during and after military service.

GRE®: This exam helps members pursue graduate school programs and Service-specific advancement

DANTES Information Bulletin

opportunities. The purpose of the exam is to help graduate schools and Service academies assess if a member has the right stuff for their program, like critical-thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning skills, etc.

GMAT®: This exam validates a member’s readiness for graduate-level business school and Service-specific programs. The purpose of this exam is for schools to assess the academic success of the applicant; looking at skills like analytical writing, problem solving, logic and critical reasoning.

PRAXIS: This exam assesses a member’s skills and knowledge of teaching fundamentals to help with future civilian employment. The Praxis is valuable to any member who is thinking about teaching after military service. Many states require this exam for employment as a K-12 teacher. This exam also ties in with the Troops to Teachers program, www. myvoled.com/ttt, offered to eligible military members; but it must be taken while on active duty to be eligible for exam reimbursement.

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

3

College and Career Readiness Exams PROGRAM BENEFITS Service member benefits of the College and Career Readiness Exams program include the following for service members: • • • • •

Helps assess and improve their academic and career readiness Strengthens qualifications for Service-specific advancement and officer accession programs Helps to increase readiness when transitioning from the military to college and/or to a civilian career opportunity Offers the opportunity to meet higher-education goals and to succeed in military/civilian careers Saves money with DANTES reimbursement of test fees

REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS Reimbursement of test fees vary with each exam.

The following exams are reimbursed for eligible service members ONCE per lifetime of service: • • • • • •

GED GRE General GRE Subject Test (reimbursement limited to a single Subject exam) GMAT Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) Praxis® Subject Assessment -- OR -- Praxis® Content Knowledge for Teaching Assessments (CKT)

Reimbursement of fees for the ACT and SAT exams are as follows: ACT: National or International Test Centers: • Up to (2) ACT exams are reimbursed per lifetime of service for eligible service members • If you choose to take the writing portion of the ACT exam, there is an additional fee; and DANTES will also reimburse this fee with a payment receipt SAT: Funding and reimbursement of fees vary based on type of testing location.

DANTES Information Bulletin

DANTES Test Sites (located on military installations): • (1) SAT with essay is funded per lifetime of service for eligible service members • The essay portion is required at DANTES Test Sites • Funding is provided by contract agreement between DANTES and the College Board. No money is exchanged; therefore, no reimbursement request is necessary SAT National or International Test Centers: • Up to (2) SAT exams are reimbursed per lifetime of service for eligible service members • The SAT with essay is strongly encouraged by DANTES Reimbursement is ONLY for exam test fees. The following additional fees and expenses are NOT reimbursed, including but not limited to: re-registration, late registration, re-testing, standby testing, test date change, test center change, additional copies of score reports, Test Information Release (TIR), additional fees for international testing, cancellation, late arrival/forfeiture fees, service charges, credit card interest, travel expenses, Value Added Tax (VAT), etc.

All exam reimbursement requests MUST be submitted via the Electronic Reimbursement Request (https://daims.doded.mil/Reimbursements/ ReimbursementRegistration.aspx). The official score report and payment receipt are required for reimbursement.

If you have questions regarding the electronic reimbursement process, please send an email to: DANTES_reimbursements@navy.mil COUNSELOR TOOLS There are many counselor tools to help you explain the reimbursement process to your students. You can find them on our website in the following locations: www.myvoled.com/counselors www.myvoled.com/infographics www.myvoled.com/reimbursement www.myvoled.com/exams

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

4

Hot News

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

We want to keep you updated as best as possible on impacts to DANTES-sponsored programs and services during the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19). DANTES COVID-19 updates are available at https://www.dantes.doded.mil/Resources/Covid-19.html. You can also click on the links below for updates each exam, keeping in mind that information may change daily.

EXAM INFORMATION UPDATES ACT Updates (CONUS) ACT Updates (OCONUS) SAT Updates GED Updates GRE Updates GMAT Updates CLEP Updates DSST Updates PRAXIS Updates

Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site Visit Site

Academic Skills Training Webinar For Counselors; April 23

A

re you familiar with DANTES Academic Skills Training program offered FREE to military members? The program is accessed online and helps improve promotion opportunities with interactive lessons that address a member's specific needs. Learn more about it in their next webinar!

The Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) can help improve basic math, reading comprehension, and vocabulary skills. The College Placement Skills Training (CPST) helps members prepare for entrance exams by targeting college-level math, English, and writing skills. “OASC/CPST 101 for Counselors�

April 23 @ 3:00 EST/2:00 CST/1:00 pm MST This one hour webinar program will cover: -Benefits of using OASC/CPST -How to become an administrator -How to register a user -Preview of upcoming course enhancements Registration link: https://petersons.webex.com/petersons/onstage/g.php?MTID=e113792ab195144d5f58287994e8a26db DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

5

Troops to Teachers Spot Light COVID-19 UPDATE We want to keep you updated as best as possible on impacts to the Troops to Teachers program and its’ services during the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Please check our website regularly, www.proudtoserveagain.com, for updates, keeping in mind that information may change daily. If you have questions, you can also email ttt@navy.mil.

State grant offices may also be affected. Please be sure to contact the state grant offices directly via phone and email information provided on our website, using the state map and clicking on your state of choice and the "Program Counselor" icon.

T

roops to Teachers is a DANTES-managed, DoD-transition program to help service members and veterans begin new careers as K-12 school teachers in public, charter, and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools.

The program provides eligible members with counseling, employment assistance, and financial support to help them meet education and licensing requirements to secure a teaching position. Since 1993, more than 21,000 veterans have successfully transitioned to a career in education.

Troops to Teachers (TTT) has 31 states offering local assistance to program participants via grants received in 2018. The 2018 grants DANTES Information Bulletin

provide services for a 5-year term ending in May 2023.

The main benefit of the TTT state grants is that local state education departments and agencies are able to assist military members, veterans and TTT participants with local counseling and guidance. These local offices become the frontline for certification and hiring information, resources, and technical assistance on meeting teacher requirements related to each individual state.

In March, we introduced you to the state grant office teams serving the Florida, Alabama, and Michigan teams.

This month, we are proud to introduce the Kansas and Oklahoma teams! http://www.dantes.doded.mil

6

Troops to Teachers Spot Light Troops to Teachers Kansas

Dr. Thomas S. Vontz Email: Tvontz@k-state.edu

Lynn Bechtel Email: tttkansas@j2tinfo.com

Office Website(s): https://global.k-state.edu/troops-to-teachers/ proudtoserveagain.com/states/Kansas Office Location: 244 Bluemont Hall, 1114 Mid-Campus Drive North, Manhattan, KS, 66506 College and/or State Education Department Affiliation: Kansas State University: https://global.k-state. edu/troops-to-teachers/ Kansas State Department of Education: https:// www.ksde.org/

Dr. Spencer Clark Email: tttkansas@j2tinfo.com

provide licensure test preparation and job placement assistance.

Certification Information: Kansas licensure and certification is reciprocal with most other states; visit https://www.ecs. org/teacher-license-reciprocity-state-profiles/ for more information.

Interesting Facts about teaching in Kansas: As of Fall 2019, Kansas had 815 teacher vacancies across the state; mostly in rural areas. Teachers are most needed in Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), Elementary, STEM, and English Language Arts.

Monthly Programs: TTT Kansas offers monthly events that include on-base briefings and webinars.

State Incentives for Military: The state of Kansas and TTT Kansas waive application fees, provide a teaching assistant and mentor to support military applicants, and

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

7

Troops to Teachers Spot Light Troops to Teachers Oklahoma

Staff Members (left to right): Donna Guary Program Assistant: donna.guary@sde.ok.gov, PH: 405-522-0217 Donna retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service and is currently completing her degree in Christian Ministry/Organization Leadership.

Dennis Purvis Program Coordinator: dennis.purvis@sde.ok.gov, PH: 405-522-0217 Dennis retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service. He taught for nine years as a certified middle school social studies/history/geography teacher and served as a school administrator for three years.

He is also a certified Project Management Institute practitioner and holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership.

Julia Miller Recruiter: julia.miller@sde.ok.gov, PH: 405-620-7514 Julia served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard as a medic on C-130s. She also served as an elementary educator in the state of Oklahoma for 15 years.

DANTES Information Bulletin

Office Website(s): https://sde.ok.gov/troops-to-teachers www.troopstoteachers.ok.gov www.proudtoserveagain.com/states/Oklahoma Social Media Acct(s): Facebook: @TTT.Oklahoma Twitter: TTT_Oklahoma Office Location: Oklahoma State Department of Education Troops to Teachers 2500 N. Lincoln Blvd. Ste 212 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 College and/or State Education Department Affiliation: Oklahoma State Department of Education CU (Cameron University) Langston University OSU (Oklahoma State University) OU (Oklahoma University) SNU (Southern Nazarene University) TU (Tulsa University) UCO (University of Central Oklahoma) http://www.dantes.doded.mil

8

Troops to Teachers Spot Light Monthly Programs: TTT Oklahoma provides a webinars, socials, mentoring events, base visits, etc.

Ft. Sill: TAP class every Tuesday at The Soldier for Life Center Lawton, OK Tinker Air Force Base: Briefing every other Wednesday, Midwest City, OK Altus Air Force Base: Briefing on the first Tuesday of every month, Altus, OK Guard Base: Crossroads brief on the first Saturday of every month, Oklahoma City, OK State Incentives for Military: TTT Oklahoma provides free on-line study guides through a memorandum of understanding with the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, limited free certification tests.

TTT Oklahoma produced videos on test taking tips, which address strategies for taking the OGET (Oklahoma General Education Test), OSAT (Oklahoma Certification Test), and OPTE (Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination).

way. If a participant has a bachelors degree, they can apply for certification. Once approved, they will take the OGET (Oklahoma General Education Test) and OSAT (Oklahoma Certification Test); then, they will have three years to take the OPTE (Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination) and two college courses, one in Classroom Management and one in Pedagogy. Oklahoma shares teacher certification reciprocity with most states.

Interesting Facts about Oklahoma’s Teaching Opportunities: • Oklahoma has seen public-school enrollment growth from 600,000 students in 1992 to 715,000 students in 2020.

• Oklahoma educators received a $7,300 pay raise in the past two years.

• There were 3,141 emergency teacher certifications in the 2019-2020 school year.

Next Month: Meet the Hawaii and Ohio TTT Office staff members

TTT Oklahoma and the state of Oklahoma also: • expedite application processing • give credit for active duty service • offer job placement assistance • provide free on-line educator tools • provide access to the statewide educator employment database • offer mentoring services Annually, with the assistance of personnel curriculum specialists from the Oklahoma Department of Education, Oklahoma Troops to Teachers provides a three-day seminar, hosted at the University of Central Oklahoma, for new members. During this seminar, TTT participants are given information on the two different teaching evaluation models used, the importance of assessments, and some examples of effective classroom management. These sessions are led by UCO professors and certified administrators.

Certification Information: TTT participants can receive their teaching certification through the Alternative Certification path-

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

9

DANTES Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support

DANTES OCONUS European Advisor (Contingency Operation Support)

6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL 32509 (850) 452-1901

DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil

011-49-611-143-511-1230

usarmy.badenwur.usareur.mbx.dantes-euro@ mail.mil

www.DANTES.DoDed.mil www.proudtoserveagain.com

DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN

DANTES Information Bulletin The DANTES Information Bulletin is published monthly to inform education personnel about DANTES programs and to help promote more efficient customer service to service members.

Email all inquiries to DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil.

Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government, except that copyrighted materials cannot be reproduced without written permission from the copyright owner. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by DANTES of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein.

Jeff Allen, Director Michelle Alexander, Editor DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

10