This image captured by the US Army depicts Vicenza High School in Italy, where students have staged a walkout in response to recent Pentagon policies affecting their school. According to sources at CNN, these policies are directly impacting students at Defense Department schools worldwide, causing concerns among students and parents who fear their education may be compromised by attending these schools.
The changes are largely attributed to President Donald Trump’s executive order that prohibits programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Additionally, freezes on government credit cards for civilian employees and a broader freeze on the civilian workforce are also affecting Department of Defense (DOD) families residing overseas.
Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, recent Pentagon policies briefly disrupted student-athletes’ ability to travel for games in Europe, the availability of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, student clubs, library book offerings, and more. Critics argue that these decisions are disproportionately impacting students in DOD schools.
A DOD civilian in Germany expressed to CNN that DoDEA schools have no buffer against administration policy changes, unlike schools in the US. The civilian highlighted the challenges of having to comply with directives from higher authorities, which they find concerning. This discontent led to organized walkouts at numerous DoDEA schools globally, where students voiced their opposition to censorship and limitations on their educational opportunities.
Students and parents at these schools feel that the recent policies are putting them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in the US. Some have lamented the cancellation of AP Psychology classes due to DEI policies enforced by the Defense Department. A high school sophomore at a DoDEA school described her disappointment at missing out on the class she had been eager to take, emphasizing the already limited educational opportunities available to them.
Amid these concerns, DoDEA spokesman Will Griffin assured CNN that students remain the top priority, and efforts will be made to maintain a conducive learning environment. Griffin emphasized DoDEA’s commitment to delivering quality education to military-connected students, citing their performance on national assessments. Regarding AP Psychology, Griffin mentioned ongoing discussions with the College Board to address scheduling issues.
The course of Psychology in the 2025-2026 school year is currently under consideration. A second DOD civilian in Germany, who is also a DoDEA parent, expressed concerns regarding students’ opportunities to stand out for college admissions compared to their peers who did not attend DoDEA schools. This individual mentioned that policies are often made without considering the unique overseas demographic and questioned the level of care for service members and families in Europe.
In response to the new administration’s policies, students at DoDEA schools worldwide organized walkouts to protest. The demonstrations were expected to include over a dozen schools across various countries. Students voiced their frustrations about the removal of Black History Month recognition, dismantling of school clubs, and restrictions on teachers addressing transgender students by their chosen names and pronouns.
The students emphasized that their actions were not fueled by politics but rather a desire to protect the rights of all students regardless of their identities. They expressed concerns about the impact of these policies on the well-being of transgender students, citing high suicide rates among LGBT youth. Despite warnings from school administrators about unexcused absences, students remained determined to make their voices heard and push back against policies affecting their schools.
DoDEA officials have stated that they do not support student walkouts and encourage alternative forms of civil engagement. However, students remain steadfast in their efforts to advocate for inclusivity and respect within their school communities.
The first DOD civilian in Germany noted that fewer students participated in a recent walkout compared to expectations. Nearly half of the students who took part in a walkout at his child’s high school last month did not participate in the recent event. Another DOD civilian, who is also a DoDEA parent, highlighted how well-informed and engaged the younger generation is with current events. They emphasized that adults may underestimate the level of awareness and research conducted by young people. Both DoDEA parents expressed concerns to CNN about the lack of transparency regarding how DOD policies are impacting schools, such as the removal of books from libraries without clear communication to parents. The DoDEA spokesman mentioned that the agency is reviewing policies and library books to ensure compliance with executive orders, leading to limited access to materials during the review process. The vague directives and lack of clear guidance from the Pentagon have caused stress among leaders, with some feeling that orders are rushed and lacking effective direction. The absence of clear guidance is perceived by some as intentional, allowing the administration to distance themselves from controversial actions taken by subordinates. This uncertainty and stress are palpable at all levels within the organization. To stay updated on CNN news and newsletters, you can create an account on CNN.com.
