Delaware News

Governor Carney Launches Opportunity Grant Program to Support Disadvantaged Delaware Students

Department of Education | Education | Governor John Carney | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Tuesday, July 25, 2017



School districts, charter schools can apply for $1 million in new funding

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Tuesday that Delaware schools can now apply for $1 million in special funding to improve supports for low-income students, students chronically exposed to stress and trauma, and English language learners.

The new Opportunity Grant program – created and funded by Governor Carney and members of the General Assembly in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget – will help Delaware identify and incentivize schools with proven strategies for helping disadvantaged students succeed in the classroom.

Through September 5, school districts and charter schools can apply for up to 10 competitive Opportunity Grants through the Delaware Department of Education. Schools may receive a maximum of $350,000 in funding to support programs in the 2017-2018 school year.

“We have students in Wilmington and across our state who are affected by significant amounts of trauma and stress in their lives, and we have to do more to support them, help them thrive in school, and prepare them for long-term success,” said Governor Carney. “That’s what this new program is about – providing effective support for Delaware students who need it most. These grants provide additional flexibility for schools serving disadvantaged students, with the expectation that results and successful practices will be shared across schools serving a similar population. Thank you to members of the General Assembly for helping us create this program, and for their leadership on this issue.”

Governor Carney pledged last week that he would take decisive action over the next year to address Delaware’s achievement gap, and he has made it a priority to support disadvantaged students in Wilmington and across the state.

Earlier this month, the Governor announced that Dorrell Green, a longtime Wilmington educator, would lead a new Wilmington-based office to support teachers and students in Wilmington’s neediest schools, and in schools serving at-risk students statewide.

The new Opportunity Grant program will specifically provide additional funding for:

  • Integrated student services and trauma-informed supports to low-income students based on their needs, or;
  • Additional supports to low-income and English language learner students.

In considering applications for funding, the Department of Education will give preference to school-level initiatives, rather than broader district or organizational programs. Grant applicants must outline a detailed plan for how funds will be used – and grant recipients will be required to provide information on the outcome of the support, in an effort to showcase what is working.

“We know those educators who work most closely with our children know best what supports are needed for their children and community,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “This is a chance for local leaders to design programs and supports that meet those needs and for us to learn from their work to better support other children in our state with similar challenges.”

Grant awards will be announced in September. Superintendents will meet next week with Secretary Bunting, and will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the grant process.

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Related news:
Governor Carney Vetoes 5-Mile Radius Legislation that Limits Options for Wilmington Students
Governor Carney Directs DOE to Create Regulation, Model Policy to Prevent Discrimination in Schools
Governor Carney Announces Selection to Lead DOE’s New Office of Improvement & Innovation

Opportunity Grants

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Governor Carney Launches Opportunity Grant Program to Support Disadvantaged Delaware Students

Department of Education | Education | Governor John Carney | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Tuesday, July 25, 2017



School districts, charter schools can apply for $1 million in new funding

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Tuesday that Delaware schools can now apply for $1 million in special funding to improve supports for low-income students, students chronically exposed to stress and trauma, and English language learners.

The new Opportunity Grant program – created and funded by Governor Carney and members of the General Assembly in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget – will help Delaware identify and incentivize schools with proven strategies for helping disadvantaged students succeed in the classroom.

Through September 5, school districts and charter schools can apply for up to 10 competitive Opportunity Grants through the Delaware Department of Education. Schools may receive a maximum of $350,000 in funding to support programs in the 2017-2018 school year.

“We have students in Wilmington and across our state who are affected by significant amounts of trauma and stress in their lives, and we have to do more to support them, help them thrive in school, and prepare them for long-term success,” said Governor Carney. “That’s what this new program is about – providing effective support for Delaware students who need it most. These grants provide additional flexibility for schools serving disadvantaged students, with the expectation that results and successful practices will be shared across schools serving a similar population. Thank you to members of the General Assembly for helping us create this program, and for their leadership on this issue.”

Governor Carney pledged last week that he would take decisive action over the next year to address Delaware’s achievement gap, and he has made it a priority to support disadvantaged students in Wilmington and across the state.

Earlier this month, the Governor announced that Dorrell Green, a longtime Wilmington educator, would lead a new Wilmington-based office to support teachers and students in Wilmington’s neediest schools, and in schools serving at-risk students statewide.

The new Opportunity Grant program will specifically provide additional funding for:

  • Integrated student services and trauma-informed supports to low-income students based on their needs, or;
  • Additional supports to low-income and English language learner students.

In considering applications for funding, the Department of Education will give preference to school-level initiatives, rather than broader district or organizational programs. Grant applicants must outline a detailed plan for how funds will be used – and grant recipients will be required to provide information on the outcome of the support, in an effort to showcase what is working.

“We know those educators who work most closely with our children know best what supports are needed for their children and community,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “This is a chance for local leaders to design programs and supports that meet those needs and for us to learn from their work to better support other children in our state with similar challenges.”

Grant awards will be announced in September. Superintendents will meet next week with Secretary Bunting, and will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the grant process.

###

Related news:
Governor Carney Vetoes 5-Mile Radius Legislation that Limits Options for Wilmington Students
Governor Carney Directs DOE to Create Regulation, Model Policy to Prevent Discrimination in Schools
Governor Carney Announces Selection to Lead DOE’s New Office of Improvement & Innovation

Opportunity Grants

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.