ARMY ED SPACE NEWS

Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Army and NASBE

03/11/2009

I. PARTIES

The Parties to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are the U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC) and the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE).

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the MOU is to provide the cooperative framework for the Parties to increase collaboration in supporting the Nation’s young people and improving the educational experiences, next-stage preparedness, and graduation rates of the Nation’s high school students.  Specific areas of focus that have been identified as fruitful areas of potential collaboration include:  building a comprehensive understanding of post-secondary choices for students (including military service), improving graduation rates, improving the health and fitness of high school students, expanded career exploration/assessment and test preparation resources for educators and students, and the Nation’s future need for trained teachers, particularly in the areas of science and mathematics.
 
III. OBJECTIVES

A.  The objectives of the Parties are to improve graduation rates; to identify productive ways of sharing the educational and expert resources of America’s Army with the education community; to improve student readiness for whatever their next life-stage step (higher education, industry, military service); to increase educator understanding of the benefits of Army service and the educational opportunities available to Soldiers; to support USAAC in meeting its strategic vision and goals; to support NASBE in meeting its commitment to sound education policy development.

B.  In accordance with these objectives, the Parties will look for opportunities to collaborate, develop programming, and educate policy makers, devise policy initiatives and heighten awareness among the education community related to:

1. Comprehensive post-secondary planning, including Army/military service.
2. JROTC and its tenets as a pertinent curriculum model in the context of NASBE’s high school re-design project, particularly in the areas of fitness and obesity prevention and reducing drop out rates.
3. U.S. Army career planning and assessment tools (e.g., ASVAB) and test preparation tools (e.g. March2Success).
4. Army ROTC scholarships as an avenue for educating the Nation’s teachers, addressing future critical shortages, particularly in the areas of science and math.
5. Other, future areas of collaboration, in keeping with shared objectives of improving the educational experience, preparedness and graduation rates of the Nation’s students.

C.  Consistent with law, regulation, and policy and subject to the availability of funding, the Parties will explore potential collaborative activities and services that utilize the business, scientific and technical resources of USAAC and NASBE.  It is recognized that some of these activities – for instance, publications or the formation of a NASBE-directed Study Group – will require U.S. Army funding.  Such specific sponsorship activities, USAAC and NASBE will require dedicated agreements outlining specific costs, deliverables and mutual understandings.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

In fulfilling the objectives of this MOU, the Parties agree to participate and to be responsible for the following activities:

A.  USAAC, at its sole and unfettered discretion and without obligation; and consistent with law, regulation, and policy and subject to availability of funds, will:

1. Meet on a regular and appropriate basis and undertake all efforts required to advance collaboration and progress in the Parties’ shared objectives. 
2. Provide Subject Matter Experts and various opportunities for NASBE personnel and NASBE members to learn more about Army education, training, skills development, programs and policies.  It is envisioned that subordinate commands will participate in relevant local, regional and national activities.
3. Participate as appropriate in outreach programs, forums, workshops, training, media activities and relevant programs aimed at increasing the success of the Nation’s students, educators and the education policy community.
4. In the 2009-2010 time frame, assuming mutual agreement on scope, USAAC will sponsor:

• An issue of The Standard on the topic of coordinating the K-12 education and military sectors to meet the needs of youth.
• A Study Group focused on mutually-agreed upon topics with the objective of yielding appropriate policy recommendations and guidance for the education sector.
• Separate and specific contracts will be developed for these sponsored programs with specific costs and deliverables outlined.

       5.  Develop metrics to account for program progress.

B.  NASBE, at its sole and unfettered discretion and without obligation, will:

1. Meet on a regular and appropriate basis and undertake all efforts required to advance collaboration and progress in the Parties’ shared objectives. 
2. As subject matter experts, advise Parties to this MOU on key aspects of the education community, education policy, and education outreach, and guide and support USAAC in its education outreach efforts.
3. Provide USAAC with the opportunity to inform NASBE members on the benefits of Army service, the diverse scope and opportunities available to Soldiers, Army commitment to education and skills training, and Army resources available to the education community.
4. Engage USAAC in appropriate NASBE activities (e.g., participation in key forums, testimony (as appropriate) before Study Groups).
5. Work diligently to advance policy recommendations that grow out of collaborative efforts between the Parties.’
6. Participate, as appropriate, in U.S. Army/USAAC outreach efforts within the broader education community.
7. Develop metrics to account for program progress.

V.  MUTUAL UNDERSTANDINGS

It is mutually agreed and understood by the Parties that:

A.  This MOU is an agreement of mutual support, and not an enforceable contract at law.  It may not be enforced against the other Party by any legal or equitable suit or action. 

B.  This MOU is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document.  Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds or transfer of anything of value, between the Parties to this MOU will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.  Any contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition.

C.  Nothing in this MOU shall be construed as affording NASBE any preferential treatment, exclusive rights, or privileges.  USAAC is prohibited from formally endorsing or appearing to endorse a specific private organization. 

D.  The Parties to this MOU or their designated representatives shall review the MOU annually.  Either Party may withdraw from the agreement upon written notification to the other Party, which notice shall become effective when mailed by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, to that Party’s headquarters address set forth below:

To USAAC:                               To NASBE: 

Commander                                                                Executive Director
U.S. Army Accessions Command                           NASBE
90 Ingalls Road                                                           2121 Crystal Drive; Suite 350
Fort Monroe, VA  23651                                              Arlington, VA  22202

VI.  EFFECTIVE DATE

The Parties have executed this MOU on 11 March 2009.

BENJAMIN C. FREAKLEY                                              BRENDA WELBURN
Lieutenant General, U.S. Army                                      NASBE
Commanding                                                                   Executive Director