Arts opportunity supports Holocaust education and advances Delaware’s Strategic Plan priorities

Delaware students attended the U.S. premiere of Glory Ride, a new musical based on the true story of Italian cyclist Gino Bartali, whose courageous actions during World War II helped save hundreds of Jewish citizens from Fascist persecution.

Student matinee performances were held March 3 and March 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Delaware Theatre Company. This initiative was made possible through a joint funding partnership between the Delaware Department of State, the Delaware Department of Education, and the Delaware Division of the Arts.

Bringing more than 700 students to experience the U.S. premiere of a brand-new musical at the Delaware Theatre Company exemplifies how arts experiences can be meaningfully integrated into classroom curriculum enriching student learning while advancing measurable academic goals.

The experience supports Holocaust and genocide education requirements under House Bill 318 and aligns directly with the Delaware Department of Education’s (DDOE) 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, advancing the Great Teaching and Learning and Families and Communities as Partners building blocks.

Delaware is currently facing a literacy challenge, with just 38% of third graders reading on grade level. DDOE’s Strategic Plan responds with urgency, organizing the work around five building blocks: Bright Beginnings, Safe and Supportive Schools, Great Teaching and Learning, Fair Opportunities for Every Learner, and Families and Communities as Partners. The plan also emphasizes access to science, arts, and career-connected learning as essential parts of a well-rounded education that strengthens student achievement.

Experiences like Glory Ride show the strategic plan in action, connecting arts education, history, and literacy through meaningful partnerships between schools and community organizations.

For some students, the matinee was their first opportunity to experience professional live theater while exploring complex historical themes connected to their classroom studies.

“As a former teacher, I know how powerful it is when students see history come alive,” said Cindy Marten, Delaware Secretary of Education. “Delaware is confronting a literacy challenge, and that means every learning experience should strengthen students’ ability to read, think, and analyze. When we connect literacy, history, and the arts, students do more than remember facts — they engage deeply with ideas and perspectives that shape their understanding of the world.”

Added Delaware Division of the Arts Director Jessica Ball, “When students attend live performances like Glory Ride, they are not just watching a show. They are engaging with complex storytelling, historical context, and powerful artistic expression. These shared cultural experiences strengthen critical thinking and deepen students’ understanding of the world around them while reminding them that their voices matter.”

The Delaware Department of State and the Delaware Division of the Arts are committed to working collaboratively across state agencies to create efficiencies and new experiences for all Delawareans. This partnership is proof of exactly that – demonstrating what becomes possible when state agencies align resources and expertise around a shared vision for Delaware’s students.

Glory Ride reinforces classroom learning across disciplines:

• Social studies: Deepening student understanding of World War II, the Holocaust, and civic courage.
• English language arts: Strengthening comprehension, vocabulary, and analysis through engagement with complex historical narratives.
• Cross-disciplinary skills: Supporting evidence evaluation, sequencing, and analytical reasoning that underpin literacy and mathematics success.

The collaboration reflects the state’s commitment to expanding high-quality learning opportunities beyond the classroom and aligning them with meaningful academic goals.

For more information on Delaware’s education strategic plan, visit de.gov/edplan.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

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