Delaware legislators Thursday were presented the recommendations from a state educator pay committee.

Educator pay report gets mostly warm welcome from legislators

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Delaware state senators and representatives didn’t revolt when they got their first bite at recommendations for higher educator pay that would cost the state hundreds of millions in coming years. But questions did arise in Thursday’s joint House And Senate Education committees meeting that lasted about 1 ÂĽ hours. They included concern about poorer districts’ ability to pay their 30% …

The PECC has finalized its suggestions on increasing educator pay in Delaware.

Pay panel to give Carney educator salary proposals next month

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Raises seem likely to be on the way for all Delaware educators, from teachers to bus drivers to custodians and everything in between. The state Public Education Compensation Committee will submit its recommendations to Gov. John Carney’s office by Nov. 15. Whatever salary recommendations he includes – the committee’s or another version – in his proposed budget for fiscal year …

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 …

Red Clay's first cohort at WilmU will be in the fall.

Red Clay, Wilm U partner for program to create more teachers

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Red Clay Consolidated School District is joining forces with Wilmington University to combat the ongoing teacher shortage. District superintendent Dorrell Green told the board an exclusive partnership with Wilm U will create alternate paths for Red Clay workers to get their teacher certification.  The program will start this fall.  “As we know, again, the teacher and educator shortage tends to …

Teacher absenteeism is affecting different districts in unique ways.

Teacher absenteeism calls for staff flexibility, strategies

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A human resources director for the largest school district in Sussex County shocked a House Education Committee hearing in April when she told them about 300 of its 1,000 educators are off on any given school day. About 800 of those educators are teachers, and their absenteeism rains down problems for the district, said Celeste Bunting, director of human resources …

This year's national conference was in Orlando, Florida, and Smyrna High students won big. (Photo courtesy of Educators Rising)

Smyrna High shines at national event for future educators

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Smyrna High School shined in the Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando, Florida as 11 individuals or teams of the school earned top 10 finishes in competitions.  Delaware had 18 individuals or teams total that landed in the top 10 of events.  Throughout the four-day conference, which ended July 2, students engaged in professional and personal development opportunities, networking and …

A proposed law creates apprenticeship programs to encourage more Delawareans to become teachers.

Apprenticeship programs law aims to combat teacher shortage

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The most recent plan to attract teachers to Delaware schools was applauded in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. House Bill 138, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and chair of the House Education Committee, addresses the ongoing national teacher shortage. The legislation establishes a new tool to recruit and retain educators through an apprenticeship pilot program.  This model will build …

The House Education Committee will hear three bills pertaining to tax cuts in its first meeting of the 152nd General Assembly.

2022 Rewind: Reading, teacher retention top 2022 education bills

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

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 …

WilmU and Delaware's school districts are working to recruit and retain teachers in the First State.

WilmU’s grow-your-own teacher pipeline results in fast jobs

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Delaware Live, Education

Angelie Ross-Jimenez is 19 years old with an associate’s degree and a full-time job, and she has Wilmington University to thank for that. The university has created a grow-your-own teacher pipeline program in order to address the teacher shortage in Delaware.  Not only did teachers leave classrooms because of COVID, the state has 4,000 educators eligible for retirement within the …

a large brick building with Delaware Legislative Hall in the background

Reading, teacher retention top successful 2022 education bills 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Delaware Live, Education

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 …