U.S. Education Secretary Lauds Delaware for Increasing Access to College

Photos from the day’s events

With free community college and an aggressive effort to help students continue education beyond high school, Delaware is recognized as a model for President Obama initiative

 Newark, DE – Highlighting Delaware as a model state for providing students with preparation for and access to educational opportunities beyond high school, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan used the state’s efforts to advocate for President Obama’s America’s College Promise proposal to make community college free. Governor Markell, along with U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, joined Duncan for a discussion with students who have benefited from the state’s SEED scholarship, which provides two years of free college tuition to Delaware high school graduates with at least a 2.5 grade point average. They also highlighted recent progress the state has made in preparing students for education beyond high school, with record high graduation rates, record low dropout rates and double the number of high school students enrolled in college courses compared to last year.Duncan

“Today, more than ever, Americans need more knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global economy without having to take on decades of debt before they even embark on their career,” said Duncan. “That means it’s more important than ever that we ensure that the opportunities offered to students today in Delaware are made available across the country. I applaud Governor Markell for having the vision to find new ways to provide access to college and career training programs.

“We also know that those opportunities are only possible for students because of great teachers and school leaders. Their work is why the state is reducing dropout rates while increasing graduation and college attendance rates.”

The SEED program uses state funds to pay for tuition at Delaware Tech and for the University of Delaware’s two-year Associate in Arts program. Markell signed legislation in 2010 to create the Inspire Scholarship – a similar program that would provide qualifying Delaware State University students with the same amount of tuition that SEED scholars receive.Duncan

“No student who would benefit from an education here should be denied that opportunity because of an inability to pay,” said Markell. “That’s the message we send through our SEED and Inspire scholarships and it’s exciting to see the President take that message to community colleges across the country.  But we know we can do more to ensure students have access to the best education and training for them. It’s why we’re giving more students access to college-level courses as well as opportunities to earn professional credentials in growing industries while still in high school.”

Today’s event at Delaware Tech’s Stanton Campus followed last week’s launch of the Governor’s Pathways to Prosperity initiative, which will establish partnerships with Delaware employers, universities, and school districts to prepare students for a bright future in high-demand fields and careers. The Governor and Secretary highlighted the effort today as an important way for Delaware to build on its efforts to prepare young people for good jobs in the new economy.

The state is dedicating more than $1 million of federal grants to support school districts that make the pathway programs available to students, who will take hundreds of hours of specialized instruction and hands-on training. They will have the opportunity to graduate with industry-recognized certificates and college credits.

“I am proud that Secretary Duncan chose Delaware to hold a roundtable discussion on workforce development and college affordability,” said Carper. “These are the kinds of conversations we need to be having as we continue to explore the best ways to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to obtain a quality education so that they can be competitive in the global market place. I think we do a good job of doing that here in the First State, but we can always do better, and I thank Governor Markell for leading a thoughtful discussion among students and business leaders we gathered here at Del Tech today.”

Earlier in the day Duncan and Markell visited Howard High School, where they observed an English class and spoke with teachers, as well as Principal Stanley Spoor, about the remarkable progress the school has made in recent years with support of funds the state won through the federal Race to the Top grant competition. Four years ago, less than half of Howard students scored proficient in math and reading. Last year, 82 percent were proficient in reading and 79 percent were proficient in math.

###

 


Experience one of Delaware’s most historic homes in “A Taste of Buena Vista” on Feb. 27, 2015

(DOVER, Del.—Feb. 19, 2015)—On Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, from 6 to 9 p.m., one of Delaware’s most historic homes will host an evening of guided tours, refreshments and music during the program “A Taste of Buena Vista” that will take place at the Buena Vista mansion located at 661 S. Dupont Highway (Route 13), in New Castle, Del. Tickets for the event are $5 (free for children 10-years-old and under), and are available in advance only at the Shop Delaware website. (Go to http://shop.delaware.gov and click the “events” link). No tickets will be sold at the door. For additional information, call 302-323-4430.

“A Taste of Buena Vista” will feature guided tours of the historic mansion, plus hors d’oeuvres from Newark’s Caffe Gelato and a variety of coffee options from Pike Creek Roasterie presented by Penn’s Place Coffee Shop in New Castle. Live harp music will be performed throughout the evening’s festivities.

The main section of the Buena Vista mansion was built between 1845 and 1847 by John M. Clayton, United States secretary of state from 1849 to 1850 under presidents Taylor and Fillmore, and United States senator from 1829 to 1836, 1845 to 1849, and 1853 until his death in 1856. The home later became the residence of C. Douglass Buck, governor of Delaware from 1929 to 1937 and United States senator from 1942 to 1948. Buena Vista and its grounds were donated to the state by the Buck family in 1965 and now serve as a conference center administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Taste of Buena Vista poster

 -End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 302-736-7413
E-mail: Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov


Delaware School Libraries Council to Conduct Statewide Master Plan for Delaware School Libraries

The Delaware School Libraries Council, with support from the Delaware Department of State and the Department of Education, is embarking on a Statewide Master Plan for Delaware School Libraries, a comprehensive planning effort designed to create a vision that will inform solutions for the development of state-of-the-art school libraries.

The year-long planning effort, which will appraise the current status of school library services and will address future trends and needs, will be conducted by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware and Himmel & Wilson, Library Consultants. IPA has an extensive project management and strategic planning background in the public sector. Himmel & Wilson specializes in evaluation and planning services for libraries.

“Delaware has made a great investment in upgrading the services offered to residents in our 35 public libraries across the state,” said Secretary of State, Jeff Bullock. “Creating a Master Plan for Delaware’s school libraries ensures students will have the resources they need to be successful within their schools.”

“This is an opportunity for our school librarians, teachers, administrators, students and families to share their needs and help us coordinate services and resources across our state and between our public school and library systems,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said.

This school library planning process builds upon the strategic Statewide Master Plan for Delaware Public Libraries which resulted in significant improvements in public library buildings and sharing of library collections statewide through the Delaware Library Catalog. “A statewide strategic approach to all library services will support Delawareans in achieving potential in their education, career, and throughout life,” according to Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian and Chair of the Delaware School Libraries Council.

The consultants will review background documents and national research, and will obtain input from school librarians, educators, district administrators, students, parents, legislators, and the public through surveys, site visits, interviews, and focus groups. A focus of the researchers is determining the most effective methods to integrate electronic resources, instructional technologies, and information literacy/fluency at the individual school-building level. The project will identify ways to utilize print resources to engage elementary-age children with reading, and methods to equip older students to navigate and apply information resources in the post-secondary realm.

The final plan submitted to the Delaware School Libraries Council will provide recommendations for an integrated framework for school libraries, including library services, collections, funding, staffing, operating costs, maintenance, performance indicators and measures, policies, and state and local governance. The summary of efforts to improve school libraries to date and the recommendations for the Statewide Master Plan for Delaware School Libraries can be found in the 2013 Annual Report of the Delaware School Libraries Council.

About:
The Delaware School Libraries Council was enacted by Governor Markell in 2011 through Executive Order 30 to improve and extend school library services that are essential to educational success.

The Delaware Division of Libraries is a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries.


Secretary of State Announces Nursing License Suspension

Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has ordered the temporary suspension of the Delaware nursing license of Katelynn Ronan of Boothwyn, PA, following a filing by the Delaware Department of Justice with the Board of Nursing in response to complaints of the licensee engaging in activities that present a clear and immediate danger to the public health, including the diversion of narcotics from her employer for her own personal use.

In making his determination, Secretary Bullock considered the written complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleging that Ms. Ronan had engaged in the diversion of narcotics based on her theft of patient medications, admitted addiction issues, and pending criminal charges. As a result, the Board should issue an order temporarily suspending her license, pending a final hearing on the complaint as provided by 24 Del. C. § 1923.

As a result of the actions taken today, the suspension of Ms. Ronan will remain in effect for a period of 60 days during which time disciplinary hearings will be held to determine the final disposition for the nurse.

The licensure status of Ms. Ronan has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service.


292 Delaware State Employees and their Family Members Show Artwork

The National Art ProgramClose to three hundred talented Delaware state employees and their family members registered to exhibit works of art for the National Arts Program®: Delaware State Employee Exhibition and Contest IV. This year’s exhibit will be held from February 23 – March 14, 2015 at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University in Dover. The Gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays (2/28/15 and 3/7/15) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Sponsored by The National Arts Program® in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit features up to 300 artworks in a variety of media – from sculpture to crafts, photography and painting – from state employees and their immediate families, and is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals in Amateur, Intermediate, Professional, Teen and Youth classifications.

In addition to professional judging, there will be a “People’s Choice Award.” Photos of all work will be posted on the Division’s Flickr and Facebook pages by February 27th. Anyone can vote for their favorites after February 27 on Facebook using the “like” button. The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at the exhibit’s closing reception and awards ceremony on March 14, 1-3 p.m.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to be the local sponsor of The National Arts Program®, an organization established in 1982 to identify, showcase, and reward the visual artistic talent in America. The National Arts Program® currently sponsors 82 annual exhibitions in 38 states annually and produces around 15,000 pieces of visual art each year.