DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN (1) JAN 2019

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DANTES DANTES INFORMATION INFORMATION BULLETIN BULLETIN

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RESOURCES FOR ACADEMIC SKILLS TRAINING Academic Skills Counselor Tools & Support

Michelle Alexander, Voluntary Education Enteprise Support, DANTES

In this issue: Academic Skills 2 Counselor Tools Counselor Support Tools and Resources

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Hot News

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Troops to Teachers

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Contact Information

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Voluntary education professionals know that students must have the necessary knowledge and skills in math and English to qualify for and succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing postsecondary coursework or job training without the need for remediation. In the military, strong academic skills are needed to succeed in training and advancement in every occupational field. The Academic Skills Training program helps service members improve math and English skills for military advancement, qualification for reclassification or advanced training, and college level course placement.

1) The Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) provides fundamental math/ verbal skills improvement.

2) The College Placement Skills Training (CPST) offers college level math, English and writing skills training.

OASC and CPST are available at no cost to service members, 24/7, who are unable to attend face to face academic skills instruction. The following Counselor Tools and Support Resources are provided this month to assist voluntary education personnel with connecting service members to academic skills training opportunities.

The DoD VolEd Academic Skills program includes two components: DANTES Information Bulletin

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http://www.dantes.doded.mil

Academic Skills Counselor Support Tools & Resources DANTES Website: Prep For College Math and English Refresher Page The DANTES website (www.MyVolEd.com) includes a detailed page for each education program. The “Math & English Refresher (OASC&CPST)” under Prep for College program page contains: • Program Overview - includes a brief description of the program and its two components, OASC and CPST. • Student Benefits - highlights program benefits to service members.

• Program Eligibility - describes who is eligible to use the program.

• Support Resources - provides information on the assessments and offline access for those in remote locations.

• Get Started Wizard - features practical, easy to follow steps to help service members begin the program.

• The English and Math Tuturial - addresses frequently asked questions about the program in a short video.

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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Academic Skills Counselor Support Tools & Resources Academic Skills Training Fact Sheet Downloadable fact sheets are available on the DANTES website, under the ‘Counselor & School Reps’ tab and within the ‘Program Materials’ section that summarize each program. Information includes a program overview, student benefits, counselor resources, and more. You can view, download, and print each fact sheet to use as easily accessible counseling tools.

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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Academic Skills Counselor Support Tools & Resources There are a variety of tools and promotional material available to help education center personnel understand, use, and promote OASC and CPST. Read the information below to find out how Academic Skills Training promotes military career and college student success.

Click on the images below to access OASC/CPST Administrator Training Tools

Administrator Tools Administrator Training

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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Academic Skills Counselor Support Tools & Resources Why Take OASC?

User Experience Handout IT’S EASIER THAN EVER TO EXCEL. Peterson’s OASC and CPST feature interactive exercises to enhance the user’s experience.

Peterson’s Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) and College Placement Skills Training (CPST) engage learners through a wide range of learning styles to enhance the experience of every student.

The easy-to-use interactive interfaces reinforce learning while providing a personalized experience that makes learning productive and rewarding.

OASC and CPST generate a Customized Learning Path™ based on the results of the Pre-Assessments. Each individual receives a personalized set of lessons designed to improve their weaknesses and build their strengths.

Interactive flash cards with audio build vocabulary while engaging students in the learning process.

Students can mark which words they’ve learned and print cards for offline reference.

Lessons include detailed descriptions of answer explanations, examples, and quizzes to reinforce learning.

Start using OASC and CPST today: www.NelnetSolutions.com/DANTES

Why Take OASC?

DANTES Information Bulletin

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Why Take CPST?

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Hot News

Hot News Retake your DSST Exam for FREE

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etween December 1st and January 31st, military service member students who do not pass their first exam attempt will be eligible for one FREE retake. Test takers can have anxiety in preparing for their exam which can have a negative impact on their performance. By guaranteeing a free retake, anxiety is removed, instilling confidence on the part of the test taker. Approximately 70% of all service members passed their exam on the first attempt!! Service members should see their ESO on how to take part in this innovative offer!

Free Practice Exams

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SST now offers free practice exams! We know that test preparation is key in being successful on the DSST exams. Service members can now access practice tests online for free. These practice tests consist of former and retired questions designed to give the test taker an overall look and feel of the exam.

DANTES Help Desk Tab

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he recently redesigned DANTES website provides a wide variety of customer service and support options for all users.

DANTES Information Bulletin

The Help Desk tab on the website, “Need help? Ask DANTES,” has two features that help provide efficient customer service and support VolEd professionals and service members can choose to initiate a Live Chat text-based discussion with an available customer service agent.

The service member can also search the knowledge base for program information by selecting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the “Resources” tab on our website.

There are several ways to ask questions and find answers about DANTES programs. 1. click on the orange “Need Help” boxe located below and throughout the website. 2. click on the “Contact DANTES” tool above or search the website selecting the “Search” tool.

DANTES Social Media Monthly Messaging

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ooking for VolEd information to share and help build social media following? Check out the DANTES monthly social media engagement on each of the DANTES programs on Facebook and Twitter.

Please share, retweet, and/or copy/paste our DANTES messages onto your social media pages. http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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I knew that I wanted to teach... because I wanted to be a role model, a mentor, a counselor to the youth of this country. To teach the future leaders of America is truly a passion for me.

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Troops to Teachers Spotlight

Jorge Eduardo Pulleiro U.S. Army Served 05/01/1999 - 05/23/2005 Human Resource Specialist / Human Resource Officer / Rear Detachment Commander Spanish Language Arts Dual Immersion Teacher Wood River Middle School, Hailey, Idaho Vice President, Idaho Association of Teachers of Language and Culture

Troops to Teachers - “Just Do It!”

By Erin Robert, Communications Division, DANTES

What led to your decision to teach?

As a U.S. Army Officer, I influenced many soldiers for good and tried to touch as many lives as I could during my military time. I had been a teacher in Argentina for two years prior to coming to the United States and enjoyed it so much. As my separation from the Army was getting closer and closer, I knew that I needed to return to the profession that had rewarded me so much: teaching. In addition, I felt like I needed to teach the future leaders of America and try to become a role model for them.

How did you learn about Troops to Teachers (TTT)?

I was stationed in Germany in 2005 and saw a poster at the Education Center. I copied the website information, researched it and talked to the experts.

I knew that TTT was the perfect path to become a teacher.

sued a Master’s degree in Education so that I could get my license, and provided me with a bonus that helped me pay for my graduate studies.

What is the biggest benefit of teaching?

As a teacher … my goal has always been to put my students first and to live in such a way that my students would want to follow my counsel. One of the biggest benefits of teaching is knowing that I am guiding, assisting, influencing, and inspiring this young generation. It’s extremely rewarding to know that I am not only their teacher; but most importantly, their mentor and friend. Many of students have come to me searching for answers, comfort, and guidance. We have not only laughed together, but also cried together as we search for those answers. Students might think that they learn so much from me; but I learn more from them than they can ever imagine.

What was your experience working with TTT? How did the program help you secure a job teaching?

It was amazing and rewarding. TTT assisted me in finding my first teaching job, guided me as I purContinued on page 8

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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Troops to Teachers Spotlight What is your advice to other military members looking to pursue a teaching career through TTT? Just do it! There is no better way to do so than through TTT. Teaching is truly a vocation not a profession. If you are willing to sacrifice your time and talent and share them with the youth of this blessed nation, then you are on the right path.

How did your military skills help you to transition successfully to the classroom?

In the Army, I had to be a flexible and imaginative leader with positive and often urgent, effective reaction to the unexpected. These skills transferred to the education arena, as I constantly have to demonstrate flexibility and use imagination in the classroom. In addition, a military leader doesn’t exist for his own individual personal value, but for his or her ability to show the way and inspire others to follow. The same is true for teachers.

What are your long term teaching goals?

I recently completed my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. My goal is to become a school administrator in the future.

Do you have any special highlights or stories to share about your TTT teaching experience?

When First Lady Laura Bush asked troops to become teachers in 2001 at a San Diego event, I read the article and it inspired me tremendously and I knew that if I were to get out of the U.S. Army, I would become a teacher. Years later, in 2005, I found myself following her advice. She was an inspiration to me. Later on, I wrote a Thank You letter for being an instrument in my civilian career as a teacher. To my surprise, she answered it. I treasure her letter so deeply!

Read more about this visit: https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010323-10.html

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DANTES Information Bulletin

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Teaching after serving in the military is important because … as a soldier you learned to be an effective leader and acquired the necessary skills to assist others. It’s so rewarding to know that this can be transferred to the classroom.

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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

011-49-611-143-544-1230/1210

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

DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil

www.DANTES.DoDed.mil DANTES4Military.Education

DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN

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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

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