Teachers Union Criticizes DoDEA Over Cuts to Essential School Positions

Overseas Teachers Express Concerns Over DoDEA Staffing Cuts

ANKARA, Turkey—Educators from the Overseas Federation of Teachers, representing public school teachers on U.S. Department of Defense military bases in Europe and the Middle East, have expressed significant concerns over recent staffing reductions announced by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). The cuts are expected to impact critical educational support roles, essential for modern learning and student services.

The positions affected by the DoDEA cuts include all school-based educational technologists (ETs), speech-language assessors, and special education assessors. This decision will eliminate more than 450 jobs across the DoDEA system globally. DoDEA plans to replace school-based ETs with district-level ETs, placing only two positions to cover the entire Europe South district, providing assistance remotely.

Linda Hogan, President of the Overseas Federation of Teachers, stated, “That’s just not enough. Nearly every curriculum series DoDEA uses has multilayered technology components, which have to be mastered by students and teachers alike. These cuts will hurt our students and tarnish the educational quality that DoDEA schools are known for.”

Hogan added, “DoDEA is sending our students back to the Victorian age educationally by cutting these vital positions. ETs and assessors are not add-ons to a school staff; they are central to the education and services our students depend on. DoDEA made these cuts without talking to classroom educators or to parents—the people who know what kids need.”

Despite the impending cuts, DoDEA plans to introduce a new "Blueprint for Continuous Improvement" and has adopted the ISTE Standards for Students and Teachers, a framework that guides the use of technology in education. Hogan questioned how these standards could be effectively implemented without the presence of essential educational technologists.

The impact of removing speech-language and special education assessors is also a major concern. These assessors play a crucial role in identifying and supporting students with learning and behavioral needs by collaborating with educators, families, and support teams, making recommendations for special education services, and assisting in creating individualized education programs.

Hogan remarked, “We don’t know DoDEA’s plan for replacing these vital staffers. If special education teachers fill the gap, then their students lose crucial teacher time and energy. If school psychologists take on assessments, they’ll be stretched even thinner to handle their other casework, from threat assessments to child abuse cases.”

Hogan further emphasized the importance of these roles, stating, “DoDEA is hands-down a top-notch school system. That is in no small part because teachers can work alongside critical support staff, including educational technologists and assessors. They aren’t expendable. They are crucial to students’ success in school and in life. We urge DoDEA to reverse this shortsighted decision.”

The AFT, representing 1.8 million professionals in education and other fields, continues to monitor the situation closely.

---
Read More USA Works News