The Public Education Compensation Committee will submit its final recommendations for educator pay by Nov. 15.

Suggestions for educator raises finalized by pay panel

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

EastSide Charter welcomed students back to school Tuesday.

Students treated like celebs at EastSide’s first day 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

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 …

Delaware's 2023 state test scores were again disappointing to many.

School test scores dismal again despite new math, reading plans

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

Secretary Holodick weighed the pros and cons of Delaware's SAT requirement.

Should Vo-techs do away with the SAT tests?

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

HB 203 would require high schools to teach financial literacy, and students would need to take a half-credit to graduate.

Financial literacy may become graduation requirement

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

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 …

The behavioral professional of year will be announced next month.

State behavioral health worker of year to be named June 8

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

Delaware schools have a wide array of summer programming.

Revamped summer school lets students get ahead, stay active

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

SB would ramp up the state's efforts to eliminate lead paint exposure and lead poisoning for children. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

State looks to rectify effects of lead paint with new bill

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Health

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 …

University of Delaware, pictured above, is one of the contributors to the Delaware Credit for Prior Learning Policy Framework.

DOE wants students to save money, time with new credit guide

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

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 …