COMDTINST 5350.22B
c. Provide elementary through high school students with opportunities to achieve academic excellence
in many fields of study - particularly English, history, science, mathematics, computer science and
marine science.
d. Create student awareness of the Coast Guard's missions and people.
6. BACKGROUND.
a. Minorities and women are underrepresented in the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is dedicated to
achieving diversity in its work force. Achieving diversity, however, will become increasingly
difficult as the competition for qualified women and minority applicants continues to intensify in the
21st century. The Coast Guard must, therefore, continue to reach out to women and to minority
communities.
b. Presidential Proclamation 5112 established the National Partnership In Education Program. The
President later requested each Executive Department to set up partnerships with local schools. The
Proclamation suggested elements of agency programs include employees volunteering in tutoring
programs, sponsoring field trips and tours, providing classroom speakers and participating in
classroom seminars.
c. The National and Community Service Act of 1990, Public Law, Number 101-610, directs the head
of each federal agency to design and carry out a comprehensive strategy to involve employees in
partnership programs with elementary and secondary schools.
7.
DISCUSSION.
a. All Coast Guard units should enter into cooperative programs with schools. They can work directly
with students to heighten their awareness of traditional Coast Guard values - drug free life styles,
emphasis on scholarship, personal initiatives and responsibility, and individual self-worth. They can
also inform students of the many rewarding careers offered by the Coast Guard. These programs
will enhance the Coast Guard's viability as a possible career alternative to the students upon
graduation from high school. In turn, the Coast Guard will improve its ability to recruit in the 21st
century and achieve a more diverse work force.
b. Many Coast Guard districts and units throughout the country are already participating in their
communities as partners in education. They are helping our nation's youth of all ethnic and racial
backgrounds and genders. For example, the Elizabeth City commands mentor students through
their HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) program. Group St. Petersburg participates in the "500
Role Models of Excellence Project" which introduces civic role models to minority students to
enhance self-image and academic performance. The Ninth Coast Guard District assisted in
obtaining a 5,000 grant to outfit their partnership schools with state-of-the-art computers. These
programs, and others like them, support the National and Community Service Act of 1990. They
also enhance the Coast Guard's visibility in local communities. (See enclosure (1) for guidelines on
setting up partnership programs.)
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