Accelerate’s new State Tutoring Field Guide highlights Delaware’s innovation as a national tutoring leader

Delaware is being recognized as an innovative national leader for its high-dosage tutoring partnership with Reading Assist. Accelerate, a national nonprofit focused on tutoring and learning acceleration, released a State Field Guide highlighting Delaware’s leadership in high-dosage tutoring and outlining steps, including model regulations, that other states can take to create similar programs. 

“In Delaware we are prioritizing early literacy and foundational reading skills through the implementation of science of reading legislation and our state literacy plan,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “We are excited to partner with our districts and charters in this work to improve K-3 literacy. These foundational skills are the door opener for future educational opportunities and long-term success.”

The Covid-19 pandemic set back student learning and widened pre-existing gaps between students in low-income communities and affluent communities. Delaware has taken direct measures to address learning loss by ensuring every student has the support they need to explore and unlock their potential. High-dosage tutoring is one of the strongest interventions backed in research to accelerate student learning. Reading Assist will continue to play a key role in the state’s overall academic strategy to address learning loss and promote positive student outcomes.

To have a greater impact and build capacity long-term, early literacy systems must be coherent. In addition to supporting tutoring, Delaware has provided comprehensive supports through professional learning for administrators, literacy specialists and classroom teachers.

“By making sure there is alignment and common understanding among adults, our students will have a more coherent learning experience and better outcomes,” Deputy Secretary of Education Cora Scott said.

Accelerate is a national nonprofit that launched in the context of the national achievement gaps that have worsened significantly since the pandemic. Through state partnerships, Accelerate seeks to embed high-impact tutoring programs into public schools now and for the long term. The State Tutoring Field Guide highlights Delaware’s partnership with Reading Assist as a leading example of how statewide tutoring models can work for students. 

Accelerate awarded Delaware the States Leading Recovery Grant in 2023. Since then, the state has continued to develop and grow its statewide tutoring program. Currently, in partnership with Reading Assist, nine schools are offering high-dosage tutoring services during the school day in the state to over 250 students. 

The release of Accelerate’s State Tutoring Field Guide comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Education’s recent call for educators everywhere to pursue high-dosage tutoring strategies to address the nation’s continued learning loss.

Governor John Carney has prioritized improving literacy outcomes for Delaware students. His recommended budget includes $3 million for literacy coaches to continue capacity-building and system coherence in our districts and charter schools.

“We know that proficiency by third grade is critical for a student’s future educational success. Accelerate is one of the tools we can use to promote literacy among our early readers. It’s providing much needed tutoring in schools across our state,” said Governor Carney. “As we approach summer break, we need to ensure that families are taking advantage of every opportunity they have to keep their child reading and engaged in summer learning.”

Accelerate CEO Kevin Huffman said, “In every state in the country, kids are half a year or even a full year behind their pre-pandemic trajectory. When we look at the research on interventions to reverse learning loss, high-dosage tutoring continues to deliver the best results for kids — and it’s really up to states to help districts not just implement tutoring programs, but to choose ones that are backed by data and proven to be effective. Delaware is demonstrating that this can be done, which is why we wanted to share their case study with other states and provide model regulations that other states can use as a blueprint.”  

As the nation grapples with the task of addressing students’ learning setbacks nationwide, Delaware will continue to lead in ensuring students are on the path to academic recovery. 

For more information on Accelerate’s State Field Guide, please visit https://accelerate.us/state-field-guide. For more information on Delaware’s literacy plan, visit https://www.doe.k12.de.us/literacyplan.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Monday the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education is open through Monday, May 6, 2024. The application can be found on the State Board of Education website.

Governor Carney appointed the first-ever student representative to the State Board of Education in 2019.

“When we make big decisions that impact schools in our state, it’s important Delaware students have a seat at the table,” said Governor Carney. “I have been pleased to hear positive experiences from the Board and the young members year after year. I encourage rising juniors and seniors to consider applying for this opportunity. Applications are due Monday, May 6.”

One qualified student applicant will be appointed to the Board to serve as a non-voting member. The student must be a Delaware resident and be enrolled in eleventh or twelfth grade at a Delaware public school during the 2024-2025 academic year. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to ensuring quality education for Delaware students will be given priority consideration.

“Providing an informed youth voice is important to the Board’s work in representing the students’ voice in Delaware,” said Shawn Brittingham, President of the State Board of Education. “We have learned much from our previous five student Board Members and value the insight that students bring to conversations regarding policies and programs impacting all students across our state.”

The non-voting student seat was approved by the General Assembly in 2018 with the passage of House Bill 455 – legislation sponsored by Representative Stephanie T. Bolden and Senator Jack Walsh. The Governor annually appoints to the Board an eleventh or twelfth grade student, and a former State Teacher of the Year who also is a current educator.

The Board’s regular monthly meetings are open to the public and typically scheduled for the third Thursday evening of the month. The Board rotates its meetings to be held in all three counties.

Three Delaware schools have earned the Purple Star School designation, recognizing them for their commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

The 2024 recipients are Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School and Dover Air Force Base Middle School and First State Military Academy charter school. The three schools were honored today as Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The Month of the Military Child is a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“We owe military families a debt of gratitude we can never repay,” said Governor Carney. “I was proud to join Delaware’s three Purple Star schools to recognize their outstanding support of their military-connected students.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said, “Military members’ children often face unique challenges because of their family members’ service. Their parents or caregivers may deploy overseas and/or they may transition schools frequently as their families’ military stations change. I commend our schools for recognizing these unique needs and providing the extra supports these students need.”

For example, the designation requires schools to have an active peer transition program. Both Dover Air Force Base Middle School and Caesar Rodney High School meet this requirement by implementing the Anchored4Life program. While this program looks slightly different at the varying grade levels, its primary focus remains the same. The peer-to-peer club helps youth cope with transitions and changes, such as moving to a new school, dealing with family challenges, or overcoming academic barriers. The club aims to teach and reinforce life skills, provide growing opportunities, and build confident leaders who inspire others.

At First State Military Academy, a peer transition team reaches out to new military-connected youth when they arrive at the school. A student connects with the new cadet and matches the cadet with buddies who give the new student a tour of the campus and make sure the cadet has a connection in each class. One student who transferred mid-year said the student buddies helped him feel more comfortable: “It is easier to talk to kids your age or around your age.”

To be designated as a Purple Star School, the school must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or other support programs.

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

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

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick has recognized 93 public school students from the Class of 2024 as Secretary of Education Scholars.

Governor John Carney and other state leaders joined Holodick last night to celebrate the students during a dinner in Dover.

“This represents one of the highest academic achievements a student can earn in a Delaware public school,” Holodick told the students, who were joined by their families and school and district leaders. “Every scholar here has achieved incredible success in and out of the classroom – ranging from extraordinary accomplishments on school athletic teams to community service and school leadership positions. These students balance all of these demands of their time and still are able to study and excel academically.”

Check out this video showcasing the students and their self-reflections on what inspired their success.

The scholars also are being recognized on a website to showcase their outstanding achievements. The website includes photographs, principal nomination statements and student narrative statements as submitted by the schools.

The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984. The number of scholars from each school is based on enrollment. Principals nominate the students based on their academic records, school leadership and community service.

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

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is offering supports to students applying for financial aid for college who have been affected by delayed federal financial aid determinations.

“We will continue to look for ways to remove hurdles and provide direct support to help students interested in pursuing their education after high school find the resources and assistance they need to succeed,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said.

The U.S. Department of Education recently transformed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The newer FAFSA reflects changes to processes that had not been updated in 40 years, including changes to the length of the FAFSA form and eligibility calculations. While these changes ultimately will benefit more than 7 million students who will be eligible to receive a Pell Grant, the new FAFSA roll out has had challenges, including a three-month delay in the opening of the 2024-25 FAFSA application and delayed responses.

As of March 1, 2024, 32 percent fewer Delaware high school seniors have filed a 2024-2025 FAFSA than last year, reflective of the national trend. Regionally, 35.7 percent fewer students have filed a FAFSA. Both the state’s SEED and Inspire scholarships require FAFSA completion so it is imperative that students complete the FAFSA before the fall 2024-25 semester begins. To date, the federal processor has transmitted significantly fewer FAFSA results to states and colleges, which will delay financial aid and scholarship awarding.

DDOE’s Higher Education Office is working to support Delaware students and increase FAFSA completion.

• State scholarship application deadlines were extended to allow more time for students to complete their FAFSA and for the federal processor to send results to the state.
• The state FAFSA completion deadline of May 15, 2024, will be extended through June 15, 2024, or longer if needed to account for further federal delays or issues.
• DDOE has contracted with Stand By Me to provide direct FAFSA completion supports to every high school senior, at no cost to the school or the student. Stand By Me provides in school FAFSA support and virtual appointments including evenings and weekends.
• DDOE also will launch community-based FAFSA completion supports to students and families from May 2024 through September 2024 to reach students outside of high school settings.

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