While most think the financial responsibility training is a good requirement, some believe it doesn't go far enough.

Many happy with mandatory school board finance training bill

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

School board members, who are in large part responsible for the spending decisions of millions of dollars from school districts, could soon be required to undergo financial training. House Bill 312, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and chair of the House Education Committee, which requires school board members to undergo training in financial responsibility.  Legislators in the Senate Education …

Delaware families are in the process of hearing back if they were accepted into their school of choice or if they were put on a waitlist.

What happens if you’re waitlisted from school of choice?

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

After wading through the process of school choice, Erin Exelby found herself woken up in the middle of the night worrying what would happen if her children were waitlisted from their top selections. School districts sent parents and children emails about a month ago saying whether they were accepted, denied or waitlisted for their preferred schools. Waitlisting essentially means that …

Charter schools in Delaware receive funding based on the spending of districts.

Charter schools hope report sparks more transparent funding

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Although they are not traditional district schools, Delaware’s charter schools are still public, which means they will be affected by any changes from the long-awaited funding assessment  released last week. The $700,000 report by the American Institutes for Research was required as part of a settlement of a lawsuit charging the state was not adequately or fairly educating children. Now …

Delaware's school choice application window for the 2024-2025 academic year is now open.

School choice application window now open; closes Jan. 10

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Today – Monday, Nov. 6 – is the first day Delaware’s school choice window opens, allowing parents to file applications to send their children to a school outside of their neighborhood. “Every child learns differently, which is why Delaware being a ‘school choice’ state is so important,” said Kendall Massett, executive director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network. “This week, …

Positive Outcomes Charter School is one of six charters up for renewal this year.

Positive Outcomes Charter kicks off 6 renewal hearings

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Positive Outcomes Charter School of Camden came prepared for its sixth meeting with a state committee that reviews Delaware’s charter schools’ progress. Positive Outcomes showed the committee a short video presenting a lot of anecdotal and data-based successes.  We’re very proud to be in front of you today seeking our sixth renewal of our school,” said Ed Emmett, school director. …

Sussex Montessori School is one of six charters in Delaware up for renewal this year.

6 charter schools up for renewal, decision in December

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Six of the First State’s 23 charter schools are up for renewal this year and will have their futures decided at the State Board of Education’s December meeting. First State Military Academy, Freire Charter School Wilmington, Great Oaks Charter School, Kuumba Academy Charter School, Positive Outcomes Charter School and Sussex Montessori School are the six that submitted their renewal application …

Delaware students are heading back to school.

Back to school: teacher raises, mental health help, funding

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

As First State public schools reopen next week, most students won’t see much difference in the day-to-day workings of the classroom. But there’s a lot going on in the background. Many districts will be adopting new science and math curriculums designed to help counter the state’s dismal test scores – and continue the battle against COVID-19 learning loss. More mental …

Las Américas ASPIRA Academy will have its first senior class this year.

ASPIRA shows off new high school serving Latino students

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

After years of leasing a warehouse from a local church to operate a school, Las Américas ASPIRA Academy celebrated having its own home Wednesday. Margie López Waite, chief executive officer of the school, said the completed high school building will help more students become multilingual, a highly-valued skill in today’s workforce. The high school, located at 750 Otts Chapel Road …

This year's General Assembly had about 60 pieces of legislation relating to education.

Ed leaders detail what they consider legislation highlights

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With the 2023 General Assembly session ending in June, educational advocates are cheering the legislature’s action on early education, mental health support and transparency relating to school boards. One leader, though, would like to see bills that focus on letting parents know clearly and precisely what’s happening in the classroom, starting with easy to find proficiency ratings. About 60 bills …

Teacher absenteeism is affecting different districts in unique ways.

Teacher absenteeism calls for staff flexibility, strategies

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A human resources director for the largest school district in Sussex County shocked a House Education Committee hearing in April when she told them about 300 of its 1,000 educators are off on any given school day. About 800 of those educators are teachers, and their absenteeism rains down problems for the district, said Celeste Bunting, director of human resources …