§ 921. Defense dependents’ education system
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary of Defense shall establish and operate a program (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the “defense dependents’ education system”) to provide a free public education through secondary school for dependents in overseas areas.
(b)
Program purposes and activities
(1)
The Secretary shall ensure that individuals eligible to receive a free public education under subsection (a) of this section receive an education of high quality.
(2)
In establishing the defense dependents’ education system under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall provide programs designed to meet the special needs of—
(3)
The Secretary shall provide a developmental preschool program to individuals eligible to receive a free public education under subsection (a) of this section who are of preschool age if a preschool program is not otherwise available for such individuals and if funds for such a program are available.
(c)
Consultation requirements
The Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Education on the educational programs and practices of the defense dependents’ education system.
(d)
Optional summer school programs
(1)
The Secretary of Defense may provide optional summer school programs in the defense dependents’ education system.
(2)
The Secretary shall provide any summer school program under this subsection on the same financial basis as programs offered during the regular school year, except that the Secretary may charge reasonable fees for all or portions of such summer school programs to the extent that the Secretary determines appropriate.