Several members of the Joint Finance Committee asked the Department of Education officials on Wednesday when and if they would ever see a return on the state’s investment in public education. Student achievement metrics like standardized test scores have fallen off a cliff over the past decade and the state still faces a teacher shortage. Education Secretary Mark Holodick and …
A Senate committee hearing Tuesday heard the state Secretary of Education apologize about the way lead testing in schools was handled and that trained pros will handle testing instead of school staff. Through a federal grant, the Department of Education began a sampling initiative in October, 2020 to identify the levels of lead within drinking water at schools. “While well-intentioned, …
This story was originally published in July 2022. Rodel, a local nonprofit espousing better education in Delaware, calls the 151st General Assembly, which just ended, the “Education General Assembly,” in regard to the number of education bills that passed. “There’s more than 50 education bills this session and a 7% increase in the budget,” said Madeleine Bayard, senior vice president of Rodel. “They got …
Rodel, a local nonprofit espousing better education in Delaware, calls the 151st General Assembly, which just ended, the “Education General Assembly,” in regard to the number of education bills that passed. “There’s more than 50 education bills this session and a 7% increase in the budget,” said Madeleine Bayard, senior vice president of Rodel. “They got a lot done and …
A bill that would transform certain loans to scholarships to encourage students to pursue careers in education and other needed career fields was released by the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. It was the committee’s last hearing in this legislative session, which began in January 2021 and spanned two years. The bill already has passed the House and is now eligible …
A bill that would help address the state’s lingering concern over a teacher shortage was unanimously released by the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. House Bill 430, now headed to the Senate floor, would encourage schools to begin a Grow Your Own Educator Program, which supporters believe will improve recruitment, retention and diversity of teachers in the First State’s public schools. …
A bill that would prohibit higher education institutions from asking about an applicant’s criminal history is headed to the Delaware House. It drew a lot of comment during a hearing Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee and ultimately passed with one yay and three on its merits. It was approved Thursday by the Senate, sending it to the …
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reimagined Museum of Nature and Science, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer told the crowd that his administration is going to propose a $500,000 grant for the institution. “Everything we do in county government right now – similarly to what’s going on in the city of Wilmington – is about diversity, equity and inclusion,” …
The State Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to prohibit landlords from renting units with known bed-bug infestations. The bill outlines the steps landlords must follow when an infestation is discovered. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 240 requires landlords to eradicate any bed bugs discovered within 60 days of initial occupancy. They must have their units inspected for …
The House Revenue and Finance Committee on Wednesday voted to release a bill that would reduce the tax on premium cigars from 30% to 15%. Senate Bill 131, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin, aims to make Delaware’s tax on hand-rolled cigars consistent with the tax rates in surrounding states. The tax rate in Maryland is 15% and there is …
