Education in the Dominican Republic

The Basics All students are required to attend kinder-8 th grade. This is known as “basica”. Most students attend school for half a day (tanda unica). But this is now changing. After basica students attend “liceo” which is the equivalent high school in the United States. The required subjects include: Math, Lengua Española,.

Key Statistics: 80% of children & the youth in the DR attend public schools. 96% rate of literacy for youth ages years. 100% primary school enrollment rate.

For every 100 Dominican students who enter school: 75 complete 4 th grade 63 complete 6 th grade 52 complete 8 th grade One out of every two Dominican students will not complete high school. Even students who complete school may be missing some basic skills. The Challenge

Recent Reforms Increase in Funding: Historically the Dominican Republic had spent significantly less of its budget on education than other Latin American countries. Since 2012 the government has committed to spending at least 4% of its GDP on education (which more than doubles education spending). Implementation of “Tanda Unica”: As of the school the year the government has slowly begun rolling out “tanda unica’” schools. This means that children will attend school a full instead of a half day. By 2018 all students should have access to a full day of school.

Who are DREAM students? Your students will be between 8-14 years of age. Most of them would be defined as “underprivileged” in the States. Few have parents who completed more than a high school education. Most read at or below a second grade level and some older students may be lacking in basic math & literacy skills. All of them are excited to meet you

¿Questions? Please Gerardo or me (Rebeca) with any questions you might have about education in the D.R. or DREAM’s students in particular.