The 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year will be announced at a ceremony Oct. 15.

Here are the nominees for Delaware Teacher of the Year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The premier teacher in the First State will be named next month.  On Oct. 15, the state will announce the 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year.  All 19 school districts will nominate a teacher, who submits a detailed application exemplifying their teaching philosophy.  One teacher will represent the state’s 24 charter schools. Five Delaware Department of Education staff members and …

Private tutoring is in high demand and has shown to have both academic and behavioral benefits for students. (Photo by Freedomz/Adobe Stock)

Private tutoring: high demand; can raise scores, confidence

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With the funds that Delaware schools received for tutoring during the pandemic running out, many parents are sending their children to private tutoring services to catch up, tune their existing skills or even get a head start on the next school year.  “The challenge right now is for all of the last three years, all of the schools had ESSER …

Test scores remain virtually unchanged from last year, but SAT scores took a dip in a couple categories.

State test scores show 33% proficiency in math, 40% ELA

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Delaware’s state-wide test scores from the 2023-2024 school year were released Thursday, and while they are still very low, they did not get any worse than last year. That might not be saying much, as education experts across the state have been calling the low scores a “crisis” for multiple years …

The guide breaks down four categories of how to effectively incorporate artificial intelligence into Delaware classrooms. (Photo by Jirsak/Deposit Photos)

State unveils artificial intelligence guidance for schools 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With artificial intelligence seemingly affecting every field, the Department of Education has released a guide for how to navigate that technology in classrooms. The guidance is broken down into four categories: understanding AI, implementing generative AI in Delaware districts and charters, integrating generative AI into the classroom, and professional learning. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, and, quite honestly, our students …

Three institutions of higher education have reached an agreement to offer 12 early childhood credits.

WilmU, DelTech join DSU offer of 12 free early childhood credits

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Just weeks after Delaware State University announced a successful inaugural year of a program that trains professionals to serve the state’s youngest learners, the state’s other prominent institutions of higher education are jumping on board.  The Delaware Department of Education funds DSU’s Early Childhood Innovation Center, which offers direct support to help early childhood professionals work toward their certification as …

A new survey shows that school climate has had an effect on teachers, perhaps pushing them away from the field in Delaware. (Photo by Media_Photos/Shutterstock)

Survey shows majority of teachers dissatisfied, likely to retire early

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A lot of the state’s teachers are concerned about the working conditions in schools, and new survey results shared at a state committee meeting Monday night put hard data behind those claims.  The survey was presented at the Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force meeting. That group, created in March, is made of government and educational officials as well …

Thomas Edison Charter School was one of seven to win the grant this year.

7 schools share $2.16 million in grants for out-of-school learning

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A charter school in Wilmington plans on using a new $320,000 grant to fund after-school and summer-school programs focusing on literacy, math, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  Thomas Edison Charter School is one of seven community education centers receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. Salome Thomas-EL, head of school, said he is …

Delaware's Multi-Tiered System of Supports focus on academic, mental and behavioral health. (Photo by Deposit Photos)

Legislator: Mental health programs hurt Delaware classrooms

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A member of the state task force that’s trying to improve student behavior and school environments in schools said that tiered mental health programs are killing Delaware  classroom productivity.  “They don’t need all the fancy stuff,” said Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, said. “They don’t need the interventions. They don’t need the couches, they don’t need the specialists. They just need …

The Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Delaware 45th in education in its most recent report.

National child wellbeing report puts Delaware 45th in education

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A report from a national nonprofit focused on the wellbeing of America’s children confirms what most Delawareans have learned over the past couple of years: education in the First State is far from first.  The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 54-page report lists Delaware 45th in education – or sixth worst in the entire country.  But, it highlights a lot of …

The state's graduation rate is more than double the proficiency rates.

How is state grad. rate 88% with 31% math proficiency, 41% ELA?

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Although just 31% of students in Delaware are proficient in math and 41% are proficient in English language arts, the graduation rate in First State high schools is 88%.  “While Delaware’s graduation rate is encouraging, understanding achievement requires a deeper look at student growth throughout their K-12 experience,” said Julia Keleher, chief strategy and operating officer for First State Educate, …