State investing $450,000 in preparing students in key industries

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced $450,000 in private and public grants to support new high school pathway programs. This effort expands on the statewide Pathways to Prosperity initiative to prepare all students to excel in key fields that offer good job opportunities in the new economy.

The Delaware Department of Education, in partnership with Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee members, including Bank of America, has awarded more than $450,000 in competitive funding that will support students as they enroll in advanced coursework and training in environmental science, nursing assistant, and teacher preparation programs, raising the number of pathways to 14. This funding will also expand opportunities for students to pursue training in current pathways, including finance, IT/networking, health care, and engineering. The new programs begin in the next school year, 2017-18.

Grant funds are used by school districts to implement career and technical education programs as part of a larger state effort to connect our public education system, post-secondary institutions, and the employer community. Students take hundreds of hours of specialized instruction and hands-on training in their pathways, receiving the opportunity to graduate with work experience, college credit, and industry credentials that are most relevant to those industries. That means a head start on getting a job and earning a degree.

“The path to middle-class security is not what it was thirty years ago and our approach to career preparation can’t be either,” said Markell, who made the announcement at A.I. du Pont High School, which received new funding for the Academy of Finance program. “Together we can ensure that all of our students are on a path to fulfill their educational goals and career aspirations.”

The state partners with the business community to align pathway curriculums to employer needs and to provide internship opportunities for hundreds of students during the school year and summer. The Governor’s Pathways programs currently serve about 5,800 students across 38 high schools, increasing from fewer than 2,500 students the prior school year and just one class of about 30 students only two years ago. This third round of grants will fund 23 pathway programs in 16 high schools. Since 2015, more than $1.5 million has been allocated to support these opportunities.

“Across the nation, median income is declining, the poverty rate is rising, and the youth unemployment rate is consistently double the unemployment rate for the country. Bank of America is proud to support workforce development and education opportunities – like Delaware Pathways – that will put young people on a path to success,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware Market President for Bank of America.

Pathways are developed in partnership with Delaware employers and institutions of higher education. The Department of Education provides curriculum support for each pathway, as well as training for teachers to successfully implement the coursework. In addition, the Department is working on agreements with Delaware colleges and universities to ensure that students who complete the new programs will be eligible for college credit at one or more institutions of higher education in the state.

“We appreciate the support provided by the Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee, and are pleased to work with Delaware employers to expand career pathways for all students,” said Secretary of Education Steven Godowsky. “Providing students with academic and technical skills in combination with meaningful work experiences will help them to find success after high school.”

School districts use funding in a variety of ways to support students and staff, and to provide the services and materials required to offer advanced coursework and hands-on training opportunities with Delaware employers.

“It is essential that we integrate employers into our education system to ensure that we understand the skills most valued in today’s economy,” said Markell. “I applaud the district administrators, teachers, higher education leaders, and employers who have made it a top priority to expand career pathways for all of Delaware’s youth.”

New Pathway Grant Awards Beginning in School Year 2017-18

Appoquinimink School District
Appoquinimink High School – K-12 Teacher Academy
Middletown High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Caesar Rodney School District
Caesar Rodney High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Capital School District
Dover High School – Environmental and Natural Resource Science
Dover High School – K-12 Teacher Academy
Dover High School – Nurse Assisting

Colonial School District
William Penn High School – Environmental and Natural Resource Science
William Penn High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Indian River School District
Indian River High School – K-12 Teacher Academy
Sussex Central High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Lake Forest School District
Lake Forest High School – Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Laurel School District
Laurel High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Milford School District
Milford High School – Academy of Finance
Milford High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Polytech School District
Polytech High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

Red Clay School District
AI DuPont High School – Academy of Finance
Conrad School of Science – Nurse Assisting
Thomas McKean High School – Environmental and Natural Resource Science
Thomas McKean High School – K-12 Teacher Academy
Thomas McKean High School – Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Smyrna School District
Smyrna High School – Academy of Finance
Smyrna High School – K-12 Teacher Academy

New and Expanded Pathways

Environmental Science and Natural Resources
The Environmental and Natural Resources Science (ENRS) program of study provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The program prepares students for a variety of careers including environmental engineer, environmental science and protection technician, geological and petroleum technician, natural sciences manager, wildlife biologist, and zoologist.

Nursing Assisting
The Nurse Assisting program of study engages students in open-ended problem solving in which they study topics such as medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology. Students are trained in areas such as medical mathematics, communication, safety practices, legal responsibilities, and teamwork. In addition, students will develop technical skills, such as providing personal care of residents while taking care of their environmental and psychosocial needs. Students will identify signs and symptoms that require alerting other members of the healthcare teams such as choking or a significant change in vital signs. The program prepares students for a career as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), patient care technician, home health aide, licensed practical nurse (LPN), or registered nurse (RN) in acute or long term care settings.

K-12 Teacher Academy
The K-12 Teacher Academy program of study prepares students for careers in elementary and secondary education. Observation opportunities in a variety of age and discipline settings, as well as special needs and non-classroom settings, provide practical experiences while enriching their learning. Students participate in a long-term placement during their senior year, which allows for in-depth experiences in a classroom setting.

Academy of Finance
The Academy of Finance engages students in the world of financial services through courses focusing on banking and credit, financial planning, accounting, economics, and entrepreneurship. Students gain career knowledge through a series of work-based learning activities that are conducted in school and outside of the classroom. Completion of the program and work experience is validated with a NAFTrack industry-recognized certification. Courses introduce students to a wide array of careers such as personal financial advisor, tax preparation specialist, accountant, financial analyst, loan officer, account representative, insurance agent, and claims representative.

Manufacturing Engineering Technology
The Manufacturing Engineering Technology program engages students in open-ended problem solving where they learn and apply the engineering design process, use industry-standard technology and software, and apply math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. Students work both individually and in teams to explore a broad range of engineering topics including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. Work-based learning experiences and industry-mentored projects are included in each course.

Follows through on Governor’s State of the State proposal to improve access to capital

Wilmington, DE – Building on efforts like regulatory reform and broadband improvements that have made Delaware a more welcoming place to start and expand a business, Governor Markell joined members of the General Assembly today to announce legislation that will give startups and small businesses better opportunities to access capital.

The bipartisan bill, which will be filed when the legislature returns to session next week and is sponsored by Representative Bryon Short (D-Highland Woods) and Senator Brian Bushweller (D-Dover), would permit the use of online crowdfunding platforms, allowing Delaware residents to be investors in Delaware start-ups and small businesses, expanding the potential pool of investment capital for small businesses while also giving Delawareans the chance to be early stage investors in these ventures.

“With the best job growth in the region, we are making progress in strengthening our economy, but we can only realize the full potential of our state if we remove unnecessary barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Governor Markell. “This legislation sends another signal that Delaware supports small business growth, which is vital to our state’s continued success, and I thank the bill sponsors, Representative Short and Senator Bushweller, for their commitment to seeing it pass the General Assembly.”

As the Governor mentioned in his State of the State address, with leadership from Congressman John Carney, Congress has given states the flexibility to permit citizens to more easily invest in startups. Much of this investing can be done through what is known as crowdfunding, through which companies around the world raise billions of dollars. This year, the amount of investment is expected to exceed the funding provided through traditional sources like venture capital. But state laws currently prevent citizens from using crowdfunding to its full potential to help Delaware businesses.

“We need to make sure our laws keep pace with technology so that our small businesses have access to new methods of raising much-needed capital,” said Representative Bryon Short, the bill’s prime sponsor in the House. “Delawareans have a strong sense of pride in locally owned and operated businesses. This bill will take steps to help new companies by enabling Delaware residents to invest and participate in the success of homegrown Delaware start-ups.”

The bill would enable Delaware-based companies to offer equity stakes to Delaware residents or other Delaware businesses over internet platforms. (Due to Federal law, Delaware cannot permit investment from residents of other states.) Although the bill would require certain disclosures in order to ensure the validity of the offerings, it does not require issuers to make detailed financial disclosures that might be prohibitively costly for many small businesses and start-ups. A business can raise up to $1 million over a 12-month period and an individual can invest up to $5,000 in any one offering.

“We must strike the right balance between protecting the public from fraudulent activity and making sure our small businesses can access investment capital, and this bill accomplishes that,” said Senator Bushweller, the bill’s prime sponsor in the Senate. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this into law.”

The bill has received support from Republicans in the legislature as well.

“This bill is a recognition of the changing landscape of how businesses are conceived and financed in the 21st Century,” said State Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Dover South. “There are many examples of businesses that got their start through online crowdfunding. It’s time we allow Delaware entrepreneurs to tap into a resource that could help them turn a dream into a viable enterprise.”

“Any advantage we can give our home-grown companies is a benefit in the new economy,” said Senator Greg Lavelle. “It’s important to give Delaware companies access to Delaware investors, and any time we can do that in a safe and responsible way, we should.”

The state Department of Justice’s Investor Protection Unit will maintain oversight of sale registration and equity offerings.

“It has never been more important to maintain a nurturing and supportive economic environment in our state that will encourage growth for small businesses,” said Congressman Carney. “I am proud that I was able to join a bipartisan effort in Congress to make it easier for small businesses to access needed capital through crowdfunding and other innovative platforms, which will pave the way for our state to take advantage of this opportunity.”

“This is a good way to enable small businesses to more easily access the capital they need to grow,” said Rich Heffron, President of the State Chamber of Commerce. “We support this legislation, and hope to see it become law.”

Middletown – In his weekly message, filmed at Appoquinimink High School, Governor Markell highlights ongoing progress towards preparing Delaware students for the new economy, including that more Delaware high school students are taking and passing college-level Advanced Placement tests.
“Every Delaware student deserves an education that best prepares him or her for our new economy – whether they are going to college or straight into the workforce,” said Governor Markell. “We cannot be satisfied until we help every student graduate ready for college or a good job. By making that our mission, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/4awBoktmraY
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

You can view the Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Preparing Delaware Students to Thrive in the New Economy