INCREASING ACCESS TO HOME-VISITING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
By Leslie Newman
Vision Coalition Leadership Team Member
Birth to age eight represents a unique developmental period during which young children acquire foundational physical, cognitive, and executive function skills—the ability to persist, concentrate, retain information, think flexibly, and exhibit self-control.
To cultivate this potential, it is imperative that Delaware follow the first recommendation listed under the Early Learning core area in Student Success 2025: Increase access to evidence-based home-visiting services for families of children most at-risk for school failure.
Home-visiting programs employ trained social service professionals and nurses to address the various needs of young children and their families. Delaware offers a wide range of evidence-based home-vising programs such as:
PROGRESS MADE IN THE SIX CORE AREAS OF STUDENT SUCCESS 2025
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Delaware school-based basic needs closets funded by $50,000 grant from Highmark Delaware
Governor John Carney, joined by Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, visited Lake Forest South Elementary School to announce a $50,000 grant from Highmark Delaware’s BluePrints for the Community fund to support basic needs closets in schools throughout Delaware.The funds will help high-needs schools across the state restock their basic needs closets so students have access to clothing, school supplies, hygiene products and other essentials.
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce announces 2018 Superstars in Education
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, The Partnership Inc., announced the 2018 Superstars in Education award winners, who will be recognized at a reception and awards ceremony on May 14. The winning programs range from single classroom programs to collaborations between classes, with other schools, or through community partnerships.
POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS
Delaware high school graduation rates hit record high
The high school graduation rate in Delaware hit a record high in 2017 with nearly 8,800 of 10,200 class of 2017 students graduating. A Delaware Department of Education report says nearly 86 percent of students graduated last year, an increase from 2016’s 84.6 percent. The rates increased for black, Asian, Hispanic, low-income, multiracial, and white students, and students with disabilities.
EDUCATOR SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT
Carney pushes loan forgiveness for teachers
Gov. John Carney shared a proposed student loan forgiveness program for teachers in high-need schools. The program would save teachers in high-poverty schools up to $10,000 over five years, according to Gov. Carney.
