The committee responsible for evaluating and adjusting the salary scales of Delaware’s educators to attract more to the state has solidified its recommendations. At Monday’s Public Education Compensation Committee meeting, the 15-person group made of government and education leaders approved its final suggestions that it will submit to Gov. John Carney by Nov. 15 for consideration in his fiscal year …
Students treated like celebs at EastSide’s first dayÂ
The students of EastSide Charter School were welcomed back Tuesday morning by a crowd of school and community leaders, government officials, Wilmington police and the mascot of the Delaware Blue Coats. As the students entered the building through what felt like a red carpet runway pulsing with upbeat music, they were greeted with fist bumps, high fives, hugs, words of …
Back to school: teacher raises, mental health help, funding
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 …
School test scores dismal again despite new math, reading plans
There was little cheering news Tuesday when Delaware released its 2023 state assessment results. The numbers are still grim, with the majority of students across the board failing to reach proficiency in math and reading. “I can’t imagine anyone looking at these test results and saying they are good enough,” said Julia Keleher, the new executive director of First State …
Should Vo-techs do away with the SAT tests?
Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick wondered aloud Thursday night about whether it’s effective for Vo-tech students who are focused on a pathway to a job to have to take the Scholastic Assessment Test. The State Board of Education was discussing assessments and accountability when Holodick began talking about the SATs. The SATs have been around for almost a century …
Financial literacy may become graduation requirement
Delaware students may soon be required to take a financial literacy class in order to graduate. House Bill 203, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Millsboro, would require public schools to teach financial literacy, which is essentially how to make smart decisions about money. A unanimous vote in the House Education Committee Wednesday sent it to House ready list for debate …
State behavioral health worker of year to be named June 8
One of 20 nominees from each district and a charter school will be named 2023 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year June 8 at a ceremony in Dover. School behavioral specialists are typically psychologists, counselors, social workers or nurses. They assist teachers by working one-on-one with students who might be disruptive, students who are disengaged due to something like …
Revamped summer school lets students get ahead, stay active
Summer school once summoned images of unhappy students who had failed a class trudging off to classes to make them up while their friends played in pools. Not anymore. Schools now offer extensive summer programming for all ages meant to support the whole student academically, emotionally and socially while catching up or accelerating their learning to get ahead of the …
State looks to rectify effects of lead paint with new bill
A state senator introduced a bill Monday that would crack down on lead paint in homes, including rental apartments, to prevent lead poisoning in children. Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, would create a process for health officials to identify and remediate homes that contain exposed lead paint, which includes screening every residential rental property in Delaware. The …
DOE wants students to save money, time with new credit guide
The state’s new credit for prior learning policy framework will reinforce a practice that WilmU has been using for more than 30 years, a practice other institutions of higher learning in the First State also follow. According to the Department of Education, the guidelines are intended to help colleges and universities develop policies and procedures for evaluating prior student learning …