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We’re one step closer to providing meaningful experiences for Delaware students
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| From school board elections to state budget discussions to spring break, education is the focus of conversations across the state right now. In the midst of this buzz, several successes have emerged.
Check out a sampling of this progress made, grouped by alignment to Student Success 2025 core areas, from a major early childhood grant to an increased focus on broadband, and hear from Vision Coalition Leadership Team member and Secretary of Education, Dr. Susan Bunting, on preparing youth for the future. |
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PROGRESS MADE IN THE SIX CORE AREAS
OF STUDENT SUCCESS 2025
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The Delaware Pathways Steering Committee presented its Strategic Plan to Governor John Carney. The plan includes priorities designed to more effectively connect Delaware educators and employers, create additional work-based learning opportunities for Delaware middle and high school students, and better prepare Delaware students to enter college or a career in a high-growth industry.
Recently, education, workforce development, and government leaders from the national Pathways to Prosperity Network gathered in Wilmington to learn from each other, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and celebrate success. A particular emphasis was learning about the exciting and impressive work underway in Delaware Pathways. Read more here.
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The Delaware Department of Education’s annual report heralded rising graduation rates and diminishing dropout rates. Graduation rates hit 84.66 percent, an increase fro, 84.3 percent in 2015 and 84.4 percent in 2014. Only 547 of the 40,287 public school students enrolled in high school dropped out the previous school year, a rate of 1.4 percent, and a decrease of the previous year’s 2.2 percent. It marks the lowest dropout rate in 30 years, officials said in their release.
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The $7.65 million, five-year grant will not only expand early childhood education in Delaware but help low-income families with young children access housing, food and job support. Gov. John Carney and Secretary of Education Susan Bunting announced the grant during a visit to the Latin American Community Center’s early childhood center in Wilmington. The preschool program is one of several funded by a similar 2015 grant.
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EDUCATOR SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
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A new program is trying not only to infuse Wilmington with a new supply of highly effective, certified teachers but offering students from all over the country an opportunity to serve in high-needs schools. The Great Oaks Charter School network is one of two to collaborate with New York University this year to offer an innovative teacher training program organizers say is on the forefront of a movement to upend how educators are mentored and taught.
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Broadband, education a focus for Sussex County senators
Senator Brian Pettyjohn says he’s focusing in on broadband access for local residents and Senator Ernesto Lopez says he is preparing legislation to improve education in the first state. “There’s a lot of areas between towns in Sussex County that don’t have broadband access and that is something that we have been working with Sussex County on for some time,” said Sen. Pettyjohn.
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SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, GOVERNANCE, AND ALIGNMENT
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Delaware Submits Final ESSA State Plan
The Delaware Department of Education submitted the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan on April 3.The final draft reflected changes to guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education, public feedback, and feedback received from the Governor’s Office.
The state ESSA plan is well-aligned with Student Success 2025. Leadership Team members Ernie Dianastasis and Dr. Susan Bunting shared some implications of the new law relative to the Vision Coalition’s priorities. Read more here.
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How can we help prepare young people for their future? Without a crystal ball, it’s hard to say exactly, but we can make a few educated guesses.
One fact experts share is that more and more jobs will require either a college degree or professional certification. The rapid advancement of technology dictates that career-focused education is more critical now than ever before.
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That’s why so many leaders in Delaware, from the K-12 education world, business, nonprofit, government, and higher education, are focusing on what steps we can take today to help prepare our youth, our employers, our schools, and our workplaces for a rapidly changing world. Read more here.
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