Lake Forest’s David Thomas named 2022 Educational Support Professional

Charlie MegginsonEducation, Headlines

David Thomas steps out of East Elementary to be surprised with the Educational Support Professional of the Year award. What started as an ordinary Thursday morning for computer lab and technology paraprofessional David Thomas took a surprising turn when Secretary of Education Susan Bunting surprised him with the Delaware 2022 Educational Support Professional of the Year award at Lake Forest’s …

Permanent school mask mandate is on hold – for now

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

Some interpreted a DOE regulation to mean masks would be permanently required in schools. Photo by Rodnae Productions on Pexels. A regulation that many interpreted to mean Delaware schools would indefinitely require mask-wearing is on hold — for now.  A proposed amendment to Delaware Administrative Code 815 — the rule schools follow for health examinations and screenings — would have …

DOJ says Indian River violated freedom of information rules

Charlie MegginsonEducation, Headlines

Indian River High School     Indian River School District violated Delaware’s open records law during an August meeting when it held two votes about the Governor’s school mask mandate. The first vote was to express a lack of confidence in Gov. John Carney, his staff and the Delaware Department of Public Health. The motion passed the board nine to …

So few kids took assessment tests last year, scores can’t be compared

Betsy PriceEducation, Headlines

The Delaware Department of Education says student achievement scores can’t be compared to previous years. Photo by Jessica Lewis/Pexels   The Delaware Department of Education on Tuesday released the results of the 2020-21 school year and said so few kids took the tests that the statistics can’t be compared year to year. For example, only 60% of students took the …

State pays $15 million for COVID testing company to work with schools

Betsy PriceEducation, Headlines, Health

A new program will check teaches and students for COVID-19, even if they don’t have symptoms.   Delaware will pay $15 million for the Quidel Corp. to provide routine COVID-19 testing, processing and reporting for Delaware teachers and students who have no virus symptoms. In many cases, a Delaware Division of Public Health press release said, Quidel’s rapid antigen tests …

As COVID case rates slow a bit, state outlines 4-prong plan to help students catch up

Betsy PriceEducation, Government & Politics, Headlines, Health

    The Delaware Department of Education has a four-prong plan to help kids catch up in school, Education Secretary Susan Bunting said Wednesday night during a COVID-19 Town Hall. “We do admit that there has been a disruption to our learning year. Our task as dedicated educators is to make sure we’re filling in for some of that lost …

Schools hope summer programs, support will avoid students being held back

Betsy PriceDon't Miss, Education, Government, Headlines

  Droves of students will not be held back because of interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Delaware educators say. Instead, schools will bear down on core math and English skills. They’re also planning ways to help kids catch up through various programs in the summer and when they return to school in the fall. “We’re trying our best to …