WILMINGTON – Today, Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and Department of Education Secretary Mark Murphy announced the 2013 winners of the state’s Reward and Recognition School Awards, known informally as the state’s Academic Achievement Awards.  The announcements were made today in three separate press conferences, one in each county to honor the winners.

These awards, which carry a $50,000 prize for each school, were created by legislation spearheaded by the Lt. Governor and passed by the Delaware General Assembly in 2009.  The awards are given (a) to schools whose students are performing at an exceptionally high level, particularly those schools with large percentages of students coming from low-income households, and (b) to schools that have succeeded in closing the achievement gap for students such as low-income students, students from minority groups, and students with disabilities.  Winners were selected based on 2012-13 data.

This year, there are 2 Reward and 15 Recognition schools that will receive $50,000 each.  Funding for the awards comes from the state’s Race to the Top grant.  Additionally, there are 12 Schools of Continued Excellence which won Academic Achievement Awards last year and had outstanding performance again this year, but are not eligible for a financial award again until 2014.  The RTTT grant provides funding through 2014.

Lt. Governor Denn and Secretary Murphy were joined by the 29 principals and 13 superintendents of the winning schools, along with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and representatives from the State Board of Education and DSEA. The winning schools have much discretion in deciding how to spend the money. As in years past, each school will appoint a committee (with administration, teacher, support staff and parent representation) to determine how the award will be used.

““I am thrilled to be able to honor these schools with an award that will help them expand services for our students.  As in past years, I will be trying to visit as many of these schools in person as I can, so we can learn from schools whose kids are succeeding – often in spite of serious challenges,” Denn said.

Murphy also recognized dedication and hard work of the entire school communities — the educators, students, parents and community partners — whose collaboration helped the schools succeed.

“We must take what is working well in these schools and share those lessons with school communities throughout our state,” he said.

The 2013 winners are: 

Reward Schools

Title I schools (federal classification based on high percentage of low income population) identified for being either highest performing or high progress.

• Elbert-Palmer Elementary School, Christina School District
• Sussex Academy, Georgetown 

Recognition Schools

These are chosen for exceptional performance and/or closing the achievement gap. Both Title I and non-Title I schools can qualify. Two of the schools are also Title I Distinguished school awardees. They were Title I schools that met the criteria for Recognition School that had not been Title I Distinguished school awardees in past two years.

• Charter School of Wilmington, Red Clay School District
• Carrie Downie Elementary School, Colonial School District
• East Millsboro Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Georgetown Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Georgetown Middle School, Indian River School District
• Hanby Elementary School, Brandywine School District
• Lake Forest East Elementary School, Lake Forest School District
• Lake Forest North Elementary School, Lake Forest School District (also a Title I Distinguished school awardee)
• Lake Forest South Elementary School, Lake Forest School District
• Long Neck Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Middletown High School, Appoquinimink School District
• North Dover Elementary School, Capital School District
• W. B. Simpson Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• St. Georges Technical High School, New Castle County Vocational Technical School District

• R. Elisabeth Maclary Elementary School, Christina School District(also a Title I Distinguished school awardee) 

Schools of Continued Excellence

Schools which have received state awards during 2012 and continue to qualify for Reward or Recognition School distinction in 2013 are named Schools of Continued Excellence to recognize their sustained accomplishments. They will be eligible for funds again next year if they meet the Reward or Recognition School qualifications.

• Beacon Middle School, Cape Henlopen School District
• John M. Clayton Elementary School, Indian River School District
• William B. Keene Elementary School, Christina School District
• Kuumba Academy Charter School
• Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center, Milford School District
• Newark Charter School
• Rehoboth Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District
• Richard A. Shields Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District
• Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• Sunnyside Elementary School, Smyrna School District 

More Information 

In May of 2012, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan approved Delaware’s plan for school accountability and support, granting the state flexibility from certain requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Under Delaware’s plan, schools work toward ambitious but realistic goals with the help of differentiated support from the state and their districts. 

The state’s school classification system recognizes those schools that are excelling as well as provides more support to those that need it. Award categories are named annually: Reward Schools, Recognition Schools including the two Distinguished Title I Schools awardees, and Schools of Continued Excellence. 

Reward Schools 

Under Delaware’s approved ESEA Flexibility, there is a provision to recognize two “Reward Schools” – one for “highest performing school” and one for “high progress school.” Reward Schools are Title I schools (based on poverty level). 

The “highest performing school,” made adequate yearly progress based on the latest assessment results. It was among the top 10 percent of schools for the performance of all students and each subgroup on the combined English language arts and math percent proficient on the latest assessment, and it was among the top 25 percent of schools for all students and each subgroup on the combined ELA and math percent proficient on the past two years’ assessments. 

The “high progress school,” showed significant annual growth for all students on the combined ELA and math percent proficient from the latest assessment and, in addition, reduced the gap for each subgroup. 

Each Reward school receives a $50,000 award. 

Recognition Schools (including the Distinguished Title I school awardees) 

Up to 15 schools are recognized each year for achieving and sustaining significant student academic gains. These schools are selected in a way that aligns with the Title I Distinguished school criteria with the categories of “exceptional performance” and “closing the gap.” Unlike Reward schools, Recognition schools can be either Title or non-Title I schools. 

“Exceptional student performance” schools met the annual measurable objectives based on the most recent two year assessment results. These schools are the highest ranked schools when scored using combined ELA and math percent proficient for all students and at-risk groups (combined African American, Hispanic, Students with Disabilities, English language learners and Free/Reduced Lunch) using the latest assessment results. 

“Closing the achievement gap” schools met the annual measurable objectives based on the most recent two year assessments. These schools have maintained or improved in the most recent assessment compared to the prior year’s assessments for ELA and Math percent proficient for all students and have improved in the most recent assessment compared to the prior year’s assessments for ELA and Math percent proficient for at-risk groups (combined African American, Hispanic, Students with Disabilities, English language learners and Free/Reduced Lunch). These schools are the highest ranked when scored using the difference in the achievement gap between the at-risk group and the all students group in most recent assessment as compared to the prior year’s assessments in ELA and Math. 

Distinguished Title I Schools criteria 

The National Title I Association has been selecting examples of superior Title I school programs for national recognition through the National Title I Distinguished Schools program since 1996.

The highest ranked Title I school from the “exceptional student performance” schools that has not been named a Distinguished Title I School in the previous year will be named a Distinguished Title I School.

The highest ranked Title I school from the “closing the achievement” schools that has not been named a Distinguished Title I School in the previous year will be named a Distinguished Title I School. 

Each Recognition school receives a $50,000 award. 

Schools of Continued Excellence 

Schools which have received state awards during 2012 and continue to qualify for Reward or Recognition School distinction in 2013 are named Schools of Continued Excellence to recognize their sustained accomplishments. There is no monetary award. 

Independent Study Attributes Improvement to 2011 Legislation

Wilmington, DE (Thursday, October 3, 2013) – Delaware’s public school districts reported a second consecutive year of improvement in early teacher hiring in 2012, after years of deteriorating hiring statistics. The University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, which conducts the state’s annual teacher hiring survey, attributed the improvement to legislation written by Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and State Senator David P. Sokola (D, Newark), chair of the Senate Education Committee.

In 2010, only 35.7% of the new teachers hired by Delaware’s 19 school districts were hired prior to August.  In 2011, the year that Lieutenant Governor Denn and Senator Sokola’s legislation was implemented, the number jumped from 35.7% hired before August to 51.4%. The improvement continued in 2012, with the percentage of teachers hired before August increasing again to 53.5%.

The Institute for Public Administration concluded its 2012-2013 report by stating, “What has led to the reduction in later teacher hiring in Delaware? The most obvious answer is Senate Bill 164 with House Amendment 1, the extension of SB 16….This bill was aimed at decreasing late teacher hiring, and it appears to have had the desired effect.” A copy of that report can be found here: http://www.ipa.udel.edu/publications/teacher_supply13.pdf.

Senate Bill 16 and Senate Bill 164 are bills written by Lieutenant Governor Denn and Senator Sokola, which changed the dates of state guarantees of teacher funds to local school districts from October to May. This earlier guarantee of state funds has allowed school districts to make firm hiring offers to teachers much earlier in the calendar year.

“Earlier hiring of teachers was one of the major roadblocks to teacher recruitment that schools identified for me,” Lieutenant Governor Denn said.  “With surrounding states making earlier hiring offers to the top students coming out of teaching schools, it was very difficult for Delaware schools to compete for the new teachers they wanted to hire.  That’s what motivated us to write this law, and I am extremely pleased to see what a dramatic impact it has had.”

“I’m very happy to see the progress that has been made so far in the early hiring of new teachers for Delaware’s schools,” said Sen. Sokola.  “My hope is that the number of teachers who are hired early will continue to increase.  Early hiring helps our new teachers get oriented quickly and work more effectively within the collaborative teaching model that is becoming so important to the success of our schools.”

Earlier this week, Delaware launched a new campaign, “Join Delaware Schools,” which is aimed at attracting the caliber of teachers necessary to realize the state’s vision of a world-class education system for all students. Central to the campaign is the launch of an online teacher recruitment portal — www.joindelawareschools.org — that gives applicants a one-stop site to look for and learn about education jobs in the state.  Join Delaware Schools is the first statewide teacher recruitment effort of its kind.

Lieutenant Governor Asks Parents to Encourage Their School Districts to Apply for Grants

WILMINGTON – The Delaware State Board of Education gave final approval yesterday to a new state program that will make new funds available for programs targeted at academically advanced students. The program, created through legislation proposed last year by Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and the chairs of the General Assembly’s education committees, allows school districts to design programs targeted at students who are ahead of grade level in reading, writing, math, or science.

Under the new program, local school districts and schools are permitted to apply through October 25th for start-up grants for new programs targeted at students who are at least a half year ahead of grade level based upon current state standards. Most of the new programs are expected to be offered beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

“There is a tremendous demand among parents for programs in our public schools that will really challenge their kids who are capable of doing advanced work,” said Lieutenant Governor Denn. “This program will make it possible for many of our schools to set up new programs that will give kids a chance to move ahead much more quickly in reading, writing, math, and science.”

Because the new program is only available to schools and districts that submit applications, Denn encouraged parents to contact their local school districts to ask them to apply. “If parents want these types of programs in their school districts, they need to let their superintendents and school board members know,” Denn said.

Programs proposed by schools and districts can also include elements of social studies, the arts, and other subjects as long as they are focused on reading, writing, math or science.

“When we provide programs that enable our children to excel in their education, we prepare them for future excellence and help them reach their fullest potential,” said Rep. Darryl Scott, D – Dover, Chair of the House Education Committee. “Helping students who may be falling behind is and will always remain one of our top priorities; at the same time, we should also challenge students who surpass their peers in academics.”

Sen. Sokola, D – Newark, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said, “These programs provide challenging instruction to children with exceptional academic capacity. This legislation is an effort to encourage more programs that provide appropriate opportunities for our students who are capable of advanced academic work.”

Banner Presentation for Recognition

DOVER, Del., (Thursday, May 23, 2013) – On Friday, May 24^th, Lt. Governor Matt Denn will visit Kuumba Academy in Wilmington and present them with their banner for being a 2012 winner of the state’s Reward, Recognition and Distinguished Title I Schools and Schools of Continued Excellence Awards.

Kuumba is a Recognition School, chosen for exceptional performance and/or closing the achievement gap. Lt. Governor Denn will be joined by Sally Maldonado, Head of School, teachers and students. He will visit classrooms, talk with students and administrators during his visit.

His visit coincides with the annual celebration of the integration of Arts and Academics at Kuumba Academy.

May Day is a culminating event that celebrates the year-long studies of students and staff. This is a hands-on event that includes student work samples and interactive sessions for students and parents to work together on arts integrated projects/activities related to their May Day theme, “Oh the Places You’ll Go.”

The Lt. Governor will tour the building and participate in the celebration until the 11:30am presentation of the Achievement Award banner.

Friday, May 24, 2013
10:00 – 11:45              Banner Presentation/School Visit
Kuumba Academy
519 N. Market Street
Wilmington

Asking Houses of Worship to Identify Possible Foster Families

DOVER, Del., (Friday, March 15, 2013) – This weekend, Lt. Governor Matt Denn will visit with clergy and church members to continue talking about his Faith, Family & Foster Care Initiative.

Saturday – City of Wilmington and Dover (see information below)
Sunday – New Castle (see information below)

Right now in Delaware, there are more than 850 children in foster care and only 400 foster families available for placing these children.  The Lt. Governor’s goal is to help find a family that is the best fit for each child, based on that child’s social, emotional, and physical needs, as well as geographical and educational situations.  To do that, Delaware needs to significantly increase the number of families that provide foster care/become foster parents for Delaware’s children.

“That is where our faith community comes in,” says Lt. Governor Denn.  “Most of our religious denominations have as one of their central tenets, ‘the care of the most vulnerable among us.’  Caring for foster children captures all of what Micah told us were the core demands on people of faith:  to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.  So we believe that we will find in Delaware’s houses of worship many families willing to step up, take on what we acknowledge to be a real challenge, and help these kids.”

The Lt. Governor is asking congregations in Delaware to find a family from its midst that would be willing to explore being a foster family.  If even a fraction of our state’s congregations take part in this “Faith, Family & Foster Care” initiative, we will dramatically increase the number of foster parents in our state.  And that, in turn, will make a real difference in the lives of these foster children. These children deserve no less than the caring and support of a loving family.

The Lt. Governor has a locally-produced five minute video featuring foster and adoptive families, and foster care recipients that is being shared with the faith community all over Delaware.  The video is available on the Lt. Governor’s website at http://ltgov.delaware.gov .  In addition, information about becoming foster parents is posted so those interested can see what the responsibilities are and contact the Division of Family Services for further assistance.  DFS will then work with prospective foster parents to connect them with an appropriate participating agency.

Lt. Governor Denn routinely visits houses of worship throughout the state.  If you are interested in learning more about the Lt. Governor’s “Faith, Family & Foster Care” initiative, please call 302-744-4333 for more information or to schedule a visit.

SATURDAY, 3/16

9:00am – 9:30am       CONSEJO PASTORAL DE
403 N. DuPont Street
Wilmington

This is the monthly meeting of COPAD, the statewide group of Latino pastors.

5:00pm – 5:30pm       IMA Agape Banquet
Modern Maturity Center
1121 Forrest Avenue
Dover

This is a gathering of more than ten churches to honor members and their houses of worship for services in their church and community.

SUNDAY, 3/17

10:30am – 12:00pm   Seeds of Greatness Ministries
190 Quigley Boulevard
New Castle
(across from NC Farmers Market)

The Lt. Governor will deliver remarks during the 10:30 service.  There are a few families at Seeds of Greatness who are already involved as foster families.