Delaware schools to turn to science of reading to improve literacy rates

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

State education officials, legislators are moving to be sure the science of reading is used when teaching public students.   Delaware’s once highly ranked reading scores now are worse than those in Mississippi. Much worse.  In 2002 Delaware fourth graders outperformed Mississippi’s by 21 points on national scores, with the First State well above the national average. Today, after a …

Freire withdraws request to open charter school in Newark 

Betsy PriceEducation, Headlines

Freire’s withdrawal comes as Christina School District’s board is asking the state to put a moratorium on new and expanding charter schools. Photo from Freire-Wilmington Facebook page.   Freire Schools has withdrawn its request to expand and put a charter school in Newark.  Nate Durant, co-head of school at Freire Charter School-Wilmington, said in a note to state education officials …

GOP bill to change civics curriculum stalls in committee

Charlie MegginsonEducation, Government, Headlines

A Republican-backed measure that would require Delaware schools to teach that communism and totalitarianism conflict with freedom and democracy was shot down by the Senate Education Committee Tuesday. Senate Bill 206, sponsored by Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford, would have required school districts and charter schools to provide instruction in comparative political ideology for students in tenth grade. The bill specifically …