Governor Carney Announces Appointment of Student to State Board of Education

Bridgeville resident to bring student perspective to board

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced he has appointed a high school junior from Bridgeville to serve on the State Board of Education.

Shelby Farris, a former Woodbridge High School student who now attends Positive Outcomes Charter School, will join the board for its November meeting and serve through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

“We need to hear the perspectives of students like Shelby as we make big decisions about education in the state,” said Governor Carney. “Shelby brings a unique perspective from her experiences in traditional district and charter schools. I appreciate her willingness to serve in this important role.”

In 2018, the General Assembly passed House Bill 455, which added two non-voting seats to the State Board of Education: the student seat to be held by Farris and a teacher seat, which is currently held by 2017 Delaware Teacher of the Year Wendy Turner.

Farris has extensive volunteering and leadership experience, including founding HeartArt as an adolescent in 2016. HeartArt’s mission is “to help people turn their creativity into compassion.” To date more than 20,000 volunteers have created more than 60,000 creative compassion items such as pillows for children with cancer, painted rocks for rock gardens at veterans long-term care facilities and cards of encouragement for members of the military, veterans, hospital patients, long-term care residents, teachers and essential workers during the pandemic. Last year, Farris started another group, SEE US (Students for Educational Equity in the U.S.) to help students find ways to get involved in making a positive change in their schools.

Farris is a past recipient of the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award, former American Red Cross Young Humanitarian of the Year, previous Prudential Spirit of Community Award honoree, President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award winner and Invisalign Changemakers National honoree. She also is a 2021 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) delegate.

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

“We are looking forward to hearing from Shelby and welcome her perspective as she brings the student voice to the board,” said State Board President Whitney Sweeney. “Having that perspective is increasingly important as students return to classrooms after hybrid/remote learning.”

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Governor Carney, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney Encourage Reading This Fall

September marks Library Card Sign-up Month, Free Story Walks in each county

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney on Friday encouraged students and families to read throughout the school year by promoting the new Story Walks created in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), the Delaware Division of Libraries and Syncretic Press, a multi-lingual book publisher based in Wilmington.

“Delaware students, families and educators worked hard this summer to make sure learning was accelerated before students went back to classrooms. This effort was capped off with the introduction of the Story Walks in our Delaware State Parks,” said Governor Carney. “One of our highest education priorities is to make sure third graders are reading at grade level. Programs like these Story Walks will help children experience reading in an interactive way in all three counties. We encourage you to check out the Story Walks and sign up for a library card if you don’t have one.”

“Language exposure is such a huge part of healthy brain development, and we’re not going to be able to tackle any of our big problems unless we address that healthy brain development for young children,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “Bringing books to settings where kids are comfortable and that they associate with fun, like at our parks, is a great way to encourage reading.”

 

The Story Walks launched on September 1 in Brandywine Park, Killen’s Pond, and Trap Pond. There is a different story featured at each park including: Noah and the Red Cat, Spanish Tortilla, and Time to Play. The book titles and installations were managed by Syncretic Press. All stories are available in English and Spanish.

“We are grateful for the State Literacy Plan funding that enabled us to partner with DNREC on this project so we can promote both reading and outdoor exercise. When families visit Delaware’s beautiful parks, we hope the story walks will provide an enjoyable opportunity to jump into a new book,” said Secretary of Education Susan Bunting. “Families can read the stories together and talk about the books with their children while they are walking. They can discuss what the characters are doing and make predictions from one story board to the next. We hope such experiences encourage reading as a family not just while at the park but also when at home. It’s our goal to create lifelong readers in the state of Delaware.”

“We are excited to host these Story Walks within Delaware State Parks and offer our visitors opportunities to read while in nature,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The stories are fun to read and provide short literary adventures that we hope both children and adults enjoy exploring.”

“In times when everything moves so fast even when we read a story, a Book Walk allows you to pause between the pages and wonder what is coming next as you literally walk to the next page. Engaging the mind and body this way allows the reader to better savor the story and the illustrations,” said Enrique Morás, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Syncretic Press. “We are excited to introduce these Latin American authors and illustrators to readers in Delaware. Bringing diverse perspectives on art and storytelling open up new windows of understanding, growth and tolerance in our community.”

The Delaware Division of Libraries is also promoting Library Card Sign-up Month throughout September. Individuals can sign up for a library card at delawarelibraries.org or in person at their local public library. 

“September is Library Card Sign-up Month! A library card is a school essential, and it’s free,” said Annie Norman, State Librarian and Director of the Delaware Division of Libraries. “About half of Delawareans have a library card. Register for your library card today, online or in person at your local public library.”

 

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Governor Carney Signs House Bill 86

Legislation increases funding for students K – 3 eligible for basic special education services

WILMINGTON, Del. –Governor John Carney signed House Bill 86 on Friday alongside members of the General Assembly, educators and advocates. This legislation provides increased funding for students kindergarten through third grade identified as eligible for basic special education services. 

“Our goal is to ensure that every child who walks through the door of a school in Delaware has the resources they need to succeed,” said Governor Carney. “This legislation will help us get there by providing important services early in a student’s academic career. Thank you to Representative Williams, Senator Poore, and to all the members of the General Assembly, as well as our educators and administrators and the advocates for your dedication to Delaware’s children and for your work on this legislation.”

“We know that early identification and intervention are critical to a child’s overall success in school and life,” said Representative Kim Williams. “No effort to improve the quality of public education in our state can be considered complete without a commitment to serve these students from their earliest school years. My colleagues and I have worked to advance this legislation for nearly six years, and though it is long overdue I am thrilled that it is now coming to fruition.”

“With Governor Carney’s signature on House Bill 86, Delaware is finally closing a gap in how we fund special education in the earliest grades, where an investment in the right supports can dramatically improve the lives of children,” said Senator Nicole Poore. “None of this would have been possible without the dedication and diligence of educators, parents and advocates who stood with Rep. Kim Williams and I over the last six years to get this legislation passed. I am eternally grateful for all the work they put in on behalf of the countless Delaware children who will now get the support they need to be successful.”

This legislation will increase the unit count funding for K-3 Basic Special Education students by School Year 2023-2024, Fiscal Year 2024, to be consistent with the unit of pupils currently available to students in grades 4 through 12.

“This is an extremely important investment in young students,” said Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education Susan Bunting. “The K-3 special education funding will provide students with the early extra supports that will help them develop strong foundational skills.  For many, this early assistance will translate into their needing fewer services later in their academic years.”

“Until today, Delaware did not provide additional funding for children who qualify for basic special education services in Kindergarten through third grade” said DSEA President Stephanie Ingram. “As educators, we know that early intervention works and that is why we have always supported HB 86. This bill fixes the system by closing the funding gap and gives these children the help they need when it matters the most.”

Rewatch the bill signing ceremony here.

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Governor Carney Announces Summer Acceleration Milestones

Programs aim to keep children engaged this Summer

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced the progress underway with summer acceleration and encouraged Delaware families to take advantage of the free services offered by their districts and charter schools.

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) has introduced a variety of programs for Delaware families this summer including Sora/OverDrive, a reading app featuring thousands of titles, Zearn Math, on-demand math lessons, and one-on-one tutoring with the support of Back to Basics, Reading Assist, and many community-based organizations. These programs are in addition to the many plans being offered by the school districts/charters across the state. So far, Delaware students have checked out 9,620 books on SORA and have read for nearly 4,000 hours.

“This has been a challenging year for all Delaware families. These summer acceleration programs offered by community partners, Department of Education, and school districts will help students keep learning this summer and be ready for the next school year this fall,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware families: Take advantage of these free programs. Pick up a great book. Try your hand at Zearn math. Our goal is to help more Delaware children read at grade level by third grade, be proficient in math by eighth grade, and to graduate college or career-ready. These free programs will help Delaware’s children reach those goals.”

As of June 30, more than 400 Delaware educators have been trained on High Quality Instructional Materials, more than 200 teachers and leaders have been trained on Zearn, more than 125 tutors have been trained on Zearn, and nearly 100 tutors have been trained on Core Language Knowledge Arts. DDOE has partnered with 13 community-based organizations at 38 sites to provide one-on-one tutoring for about 5,000 Delaware students.

Sites include: 

  • A Child’s Better Future
  • A Friend of the Family
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware
  • Community Learning and Wellness Hub which includes:
    • City of Love
    • Neighborhood House
    • Urban Promise
  • First State Community Action Agency
  • Girls, Inc.
  • Latin American Community Center
  • Network Connect Co-Learning Space
  • Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School and Century Middle School 21st Century Community Learning Centers
  • WAVE

“The state-funded resources – which supplement local programming also being offered by our districts and charter schools – allow every public school student in Delaware to have access to summer acceleration supports,” said Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “If your child isn’t yet taking part, reach out to your school. Let’s keep our students learning this summer so they are ready for the new school year.”

The department also introduced a language line to increase accessibility. The language line offers over-the-phone interpreting features in 195 languages available on demand 24/7. In just one month, there have been 314 calls with 56 hours of usage, 24 average calls per day, and 15 languages used so far. Reasons for calls vary from invitations to summer programs, responding to family phone calls, nurse calls, student programming, enrollment and pantry services.

“The language line is a great resource to help our school connect with families in their preferred language.  Interpreters are easy to work with, and the service enhances our opportunities to create strong home-school connections,” said Mabel Boutte, principal at Wilson Elementary School in Christina School District.

“Yes, I think this [the language line] is perfect. Five days ago, I received a call from my children’s school and they told me they are now offering a Spanish line. This is a lot easier and faster instead of having to communicate with a translator. Before, when I would call the school, they would have to find someone and then call me back and now, with this service, I can call directly to the school. The Spanish line is a lot more helpful,” said a parent in the Cape Henlopen School District.   

For more information about summer acceleration, visit: de.gov/digitalde 

To start using the state-funded resources, contact your district or charter school.

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Governor Carney Signs Legislation to Expand and Make Permanent Opportunity Funding in Schools 

Senate Bill 56 expands and makes permanent supports for low-income students and English learners

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed legislation to increase classroom-based support for low-income students and English learners in Delaware public schools.

Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Senator Laura Sturgeon, expands and makes permanent Delaware’s Opportunity Funding program. The weighted funding program provides direct, classroom-based support for low-income students and English learners. By Fiscal Year 2025, funding for the program would more than double to $60 million annually.

Learn more about how public schools are using Opportunity Funding to support low-income students and English learners.

“My top priority has remained the same. We need to make sure that Delaware’s most disadvantaged students are getting the education they need and deserve. This legislation will help us live up to that promise,” said Governor Carney. “Our Opportunity Funding program is already providing direct, classroom-based support for low-income students and children who are still learning English. Senate Bill 56 will expand those efforts. We’ll also look closely at how schools are using this new funding, and make sure we know what’s getting results for Delaware students – and what’s not. Thank you to Senator Sturgeon and members of the General Assembly for their overwhelming, bipartisan support of this legislation.”

Watch the signing ceremony or view photos from the event.

“Whether it’s one-on-one time after school for extra help or access to a good counselor to work through trauma, or smaller class sizes to help with focus and attention, these Opportunity Funds will allow schools to address the needs of our most vulnerable students,” said Senator Laura Sturgeon. “I am proud to have sponsored SB 56 as an important step toward closing the achievement gap and I thank Governor Carney for signing this legislation into law today.”

“The operating budget for Fiscal Year 2022 and Senate Bill 56 will go a long way toward addressing long standing inequities in how we fund education in Delaware by recognizing the simple fact that students facing the greatest challenges require extra support to succeed,” said Senator Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman. “These bills represent an important step forward, but they are not the end of our journey. We owe it to our children to make even more targeted investments that will support students with the greatest need and undertake deeper systemic reforms in the coming years.”

“The opportunity funding is a very important first step to making our state’s education funding system more equitable, flexible and responsive to student needs,” said Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha. “It truly puts our students first and provides the flexibility needed at the school level to promote student growth and development.”

“Today, we are at a key moment in history for public education in Delaware, with many different efforts converging around the same goals of access, equity, early intervention, and resources for underserved communities. SB 56 and the expansion of the Opportunity Funding program is a key component of this progress,” said Representative Kim Williams. “Real change is within our reach for the first time in many, many years, and I truly believe that we will achieve the progress that our children and families have been waiting for.”

“During my tenure as superintendent of Indian River School District, I watched as our English learner population continued to grow and our schools were challenged to meet those increasing needs with no additional state support,” said Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “This funding is significant, not just because of the dollar amount but because of the lives it will change, the children who will receive the supports they need so they can succeed. This is changing their lives and their families’ lives, and ultimately the future of our communities and state.”

“With increased funding for more EL teachers and resources by signing SB 56 into law, thousands of students and their families will have more opportunities to break barriers, and help create a better Delaware for all of us,” said Kimberly Stock, Delaware’s Teacher of the Year. “Governor Carney, on behalf of all the Delaware educators and our EL students, I thank you.”

“SB56 is a major accomplishment, signaling that Delaware is addressing historic education funding disparities for students who come from low-income communities and those who receive ELL services,” said Dorrell Green, Superintendent of Red Clay School District. “The fact that Delaware has formally put permanent weighted funding into law is progress towards helping so many at-promise students reach their full potential. Governor Carney’s signing of the legislation demonstrates his commitment to children statewide.”

“We are encouraged by the passing of SB 56 and the permanent funding for our highest needs students,” said Stephanie Ingram, President of the Delaware State Education Association. “We thank Delawareans for Educational Opportunity, the Delaware NAACP, and the ACLU for bringing this issue forward and fighting to have Opportunity Funding become permanent. We thank the members of the General Assembly and the Governor for quickly responding to the terms of settlement so that the schools and the children that need this funding the most have it as they return to the classroom this Fall.”

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