WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney released the following statement on the preliminary results of the 2017 administration of the Smarter Balanced assessment announced on Thursday by the Delaware Department of Education:

“With the help of educators across our state, more Delaware students are making real progress and are on the path to long-term success. There are bright spots in this data, and many schools have made notable gains. It’s clear that teachers and school leaders are making a real difference in the lives of kids across Delaware.

But the difficult truth remains that too many of our students in the City of Wilmington – our largest city and the economic and cultural engine of our state – are being left behind. That is something that we cannot allow to continue. We must do more to help our most disadvantaged students – those affected by poverty, stress, and trauma. As I have already made clear, I will continue to engage with stakeholders across Wilmington and statewide, and I intend to take real action to address this issue.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2017

DOVER, Del. — Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) CIO James Collins recently hosted a celebration to recognize the achievement of Caesar Rodney graduate Anirudh Narayanan, who took first place in the Microsoft Excel 2013 category at the recent Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Orlando, FL. Anirudh will represent the First State and the nation when he competes at the upcoming Microsoft Office World Championship. Joined by special guests including Anirudh’s parents, PN and Sudha Narayanan, along with Caesar Rodney School District’s Superintendent Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, High School Principal Dr. Sherry Kijowski, teacher Liz Boaman, and 34th District Representative Lyndon Yearick, Collins presented Anirudh with a tribute on behalf of Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.

“It is incredibly important for us to take time to recognize Anirudh and others like him,” commented CIO James Collins. “As a society we pull out all the stops for sports accomplishments and it is equally important that we do so for STEM achievements!”

Media Contact:
Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI
(302) 739-9736  Christina.Dirksen@delaware.gov

Dover, DE – For the seventh consecutive year, grant funds for Delaware schools and nonprofits to promote financial literacy across the state are now available through the state’s Financial Literacy Education Fund (FLEF).

“Delaware continues to lead the way in making financial education available to Delawareans from all walks of life,” said Governor John Carney. “Through a variety of programs that teach how to establish and maintain a household budget, educate youth on the importance of having good credit, and help families buy their first homes, Delaware’s schools and non-profit organizations have the tools to promote healthy financial decision making.”

Since the FLEF was established in 2010, approximately $2 million has been awarded to more than two dozen organizations to improve financial literacy for Delawareans of all ages. Students in Delaware schools have learned the importance of saving money, families living in rental housing have been coached along the path to homeownership, and pregnant and parenting young women have learned how to develop financial plans to strengthen their futures.

This year, a total of $270,000 will be made available to support programs that meet criteria established by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner and the Department of Education. Funding for the FLEF is derived from a license fee charged to businesses that make high-cost payday loans and car title loans.

Proposals for competitive grants will be considered on the basis of how they improve the financial literacy of Delawareans, especially programs that are proactive, preventive, and forward-thinking. Applications for programs and services designed to reach populations or geographic regions that have had limited access to financial literacy programs are encouraged, with special emphasis on reaching out to members of the military, seniors and minority communities.

All schools recognized by the Delaware Department of Education and Delaware organizations with 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status are eligible to apply. The FLEF has one competitive grant cycle each year, overseen by an award committee.

Grant applications are due by Friday, September 15, 2017 and must be completed using the form available at banking.delaware.gov. Forms should be emailed to Dawn Hollinger at the Office of the State Bank Commissioner (dawn.hollinger@delaware.gov) along with any attachments. Receipt of grant applications will be confirmed within three business days. If applicants do not receive confirmation, they should contact Dawn Hollinger at 302-739-4235 and resubmit their applications.

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Contact: Doug Denison
Department of State
doug.denison@delaware.gov
302-857-3038

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

Governor: “This legislation unfairly excludes some of our most vulnerable students.”

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday vetoed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 85, legislation that would remove the five-mile radius as an enrollment preference for Delaware charter schools, while excluding a number of students in the City of Wilmington. The following is a portion of Governor Carney’s statement to the Delaware House of Representatives:

“Educating our children is both a moral and an economic imperative, and the achievement gap in the State of Delaware is a problem that cannot be ignored. At-risk students across our state, but especially in the City of Wilmington, are not getting the education that they deserve. I believe that the sponsors of HS 1 for HB 85 wanted to expand options for students and increase diversity at Delaware charter schools by eliminating the five-mile radius as an enrollment preference. These are goals that I share.

Despite those efforts, this legislation unfairly excludes some of our most vulnerable students. It does not simply remove the five-mile radius preference. The legislation creates a new standard that uniquely limits options for at-risk students in the Christina School District portion of the City of Wilmington – many of the kids who need our help the most – and that is something I cannot support.”

Read Governor Carney’s full veto statement.

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