There aren't as many gangs or violence in schools. All parents in DoDDS have a job, whereas in the states many parents are unemployed. Parents in DoDDS also tend to be much more involved in the school, and concerned about how their children are doing. There are services on base offered to the schools such as Family Advocacy. Students and counselors also agree that teachers at DoDDS are better.
Students say that teachers in the states are stricter, and have shorter tempers.
Ms. Howder says it takes a certain type of person to be a DoDDS teacher. They must be more adventurous and independent than most. They are willing to move away from their homes to teach kids in another country.