2024 data from what’s referred to as the “Nation’s Report Card” was released Wednesday, and while there’s still critical underperformance, Delaware’s making slight improvement in test scores and proficiency rates. Delaware is nine points below the national average for scores in eighth-grade math and seven points below in eighth-grade reading. Fourth-grade math scores were four points less than the national …
WEDNESDAY: Application deadline for school choice
Parents have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to submit applications for their child to attend a school outside their residential district for the 2025-2026 academic year. If history holds true, the state is likely to see about 25,000 applications from parents wanting to switch this year. “Delaware is unique, but it’s more about understanding that our children are unique,” said Kendall …
School funding group talks inequities, boards, reassessment
Delaware must decide to remodel its current house or build a completely new house. That’s the analogy used to describe needed changes to how the state funds its public schools by Michael Griffith, senior researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute. He repeatedly used this mantra Thursday during the first formal meeting of the Public Education Funding Commission, …
Education experts offer takeaways from 2024 school bills
With an 8.6% increase in state education funding for fiscal year 2025, which began July 1, the Delaware General Assembly continued its trend of passing legislation specific to the state’s schools. There were dozens of educational bills passed this legislative year, which concluded June 30. From college scholarships to improving school climate to establishing a commission to evaluate how schools …
GA mulls separate public, private school sports titles
On the heels of the state championships for many high school sports, the Delaware legislature is considering distinct title games for public and private schools. Senate Bill 328, sponsored by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, directs the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association to separate all public and private school team championship sanctioned events. “The bill in and of itself is somewhat offensive …
Charter leaders happy with flexibility new legislation could give
Several leaders from charter schools spoke at the state’s legislative hall in support of a bill that allows them flexibility in hiring. Senate Bill 311, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark, provides the ability for charter schools to hire the administrators that they deem beneficial to the success of the school’s education program and the needs of …
How is state grad. rate 88% with 31% math proficiency, 41% ELA?
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, …
19 to compete for 8 seats in May 14 school board elections
In a light year for school board races, 19 candidates are vying for eight open seats across eight of the state’s 19 school districts. This year’s election is Tuesday, May 14, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last year, 43 candidates ran for 23 vacancies across 16 school districts. In 2022, 42 candidates competed for 19 open …
Here’s how Delaware slices its school funding pie
One might find it hard to believe that laundry, driver’s ed and athletic travel and equipment are considered “instructional costs” in Delaware public schools, but they are. Instruction is one of nine categories of funding for the First State’s public schools. It makes up 55.28% of the spending for the 23-24 school year, totaling $1,584,970,346, according to the Delaware State …
Delaware school fair on Jan. 27 part of national choice week
An all-day event for students to explore the various educational opportunities in Delaware is coming to a state college later this month. The National School Choice Awareness Foundation is having dozens of school fairs across the country in January for National School Choice Week 2024. Independently planned by local organizations, these events provide parents with the opportunity to meet with …
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