Last week, The News Journal posted an opinion that opined the fact that our schools have become more segregated due to charter schools and school choice options – while failing to acknowledge the basic rules of our education system that lead to this problem in the first place. First, let’s put to rest the debate [...]
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Two Delaware Charter Schools Renewed…with Conditions
On Thursday, the State Board of Education approved charter school renewals for the Academy of Dover and Prestige Academy with potentially strict, but, as yet, undefined conditions related to student performance and financial management. These conditions will be promulgated over the next month in new regulations that would supplement or replace an inconsistently-enforced regulation that [...]
National AP Test Report: Delaware Trails in Advanced Placement
Earlier today the College Board released its 8th annual AP report, highlighting data and trends on AP test participation and results of the nation’s 2011 graduates. The report says that the nation’s graduates are not as college ready as they should or need to be—and Delaware is no exception. DDOE’s press release trumpeted “More Delaware [...]
Delaware Edujobs Abound
There are numerous Delaware education job opportunities that are being offered by school districts, nonprofits, and the Delaware Department of Education. Seize the opportunities that these open positions provide to join the movement to improve Delaware public education. Apply soon; many of these positions have a closing date in the coming weeks. Delaware Department of [...]
It’s Time to Reassess…Our Homes
A recent push by the City of Rehoboth Beach to reassess properties in the sea-side community highlights a long-simmering problem with municipal finance in general and school finance in particular in Delaware: the burden of local property taxes is unequally spread from one property owner to the next. While Rehoboth Beach’s proposal would presumably only [...]
Mediocre Isn’t Good Enough
On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the Fordham Institute released its “State of the State” analysis on science content standards across the country. They have done this before—earlier last year they reviewed Delaware’s Social Studies standards (we didn’t do very well), and in 2010 they reviewed ELA (we failed) and math (we got a B). With such [...]
Delaware Still Leads National Pack Despite Mid-Course Corrections
Secretary Lowery recently announced changes to DPAS II for this year as well as highlighting that more changes are upcoming for the next school year – all of which will impact various decisions, including bonuses for “highly-effective” educators and tenure decisions. For this school year, all teachers will be evaluated based upon Components I-IV, which [...]
Governor Recommends 5.6% Increase in State Education Budget
On Thursday, Governor Markell unveiled his FY 2013 proposed budget, which recommends increasing the state’s investment in public education by roughly $63 million, or 5.7% over current year funding levels. In particular, the governor recommends appropriating: $27.4 million for an Educational Sustainment Fund, an unrestricted pot of money intended to compensate for the loss of [...]
State of the State: Governor Markell Remains Dedicated to Education
On January 19th, Governor Markell gave his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly. This speech provides an opportunity to gauge the priorities of the executive branch, and this year Governor Markell did not disappoint. He noted a continued commitment to supporting business and bringing jobs to Delaware, attracting and keeping business [...]
