The Delaware Department of Education today released 2021 biennial reports on the state’s teacher and specialist educator preparation programs, part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen educator preparation programs in the First State. These reports were originally intended to be released in the fall of 2020; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reports were delayed by one year.

The reports provide information ranging from the diversity of programs’ candidate classes to student performance outcomes of graduates, to employment placement and retention within the state. The reports show progress on some fronts, most notably that the state’s institutes of higher education are making some progress in attracting a more diverse class of future educators.

In 2021 program reports, across all educator preparation programs in Delaware, 1 in 4 candidates identified as an individual of color. There has been a continuous increase of diverse candidates in Delaware EPPs (16% in 2016 being candidates of color, 27% in 2018, and 32% of candidates in 2020). While about 58 percent of Delaware’s student population identifies as a race other than white, only 18 percent of the educator workforce does.

“Ensuring all of Delaware’s students have equitable access to excellent educators require equipping the next generation of educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the various needs of the students they will educate,” Associate Secretary of Education Jon Neubauer said. “We must continue growing a highly skilled and diverse educator workforce.  The continued efforts made by our colleges and universities to prioritize quality preparation of educators will play a key role in providing our students with access to the very best educators.”

The program reports garner programs continued approval to operate based on data from the last five years. Programs are classified into the following categories based on their performance – Renewed, Renewed With Conditions, or Probation. Some particularly small programs are noted to be a Program Under Further Review due to extremely limited data.

The reports provide prospective students considering educator preparation programs in Delaware a resource for learning about their options while the state’s districts and charter schools have additional information on the strengths of each program.

About half of Delaware’s novice educators are prepared by Delaware preparation programs; the reports are a part of the state’s overall strategy to strengthen such programs throughout the state.

All available performance data is used to classify all programs, whether or not they generated a program report. Overall, the 2021 results show 29 programs categorized as renewed, and 13 programs renewed with conditions. Additionally, 14 programs are classified as a program under further review due to insufficient data. Programs that are renewed with conditions or placed on probation will be required to submit a plan of action for improvement to the Delaware Department of Education. Programs under further review must demonstrate the workforce need the program is meeting and additional evidence of meeting program standards. A state summary of all programs is also included in the release.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

WILMINGTON, Del. – On August 4, 2020, Governor John Carney issued a State of Emergency to coordinate response and recovery efforts following the high winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding due to Tropical Storm Isaias. The State of Emergency is effective as of 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, until 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2020

“Several communities in Delaware experienced significant damage from Tropical Storm Isaias,” said Governor Carney. “We are declaring a State of Emergency to provide coordinated assistance for response and recovery efforts from this storm damage. Severe weather can happen quickly. I urge all Delawareans to stay safe, and prepare for any future weather events by visiting preparede.org.”

The State of Emergency allows the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) to direct and coordinate the resources to assist with response in the areas affected by the storm. The State of Emergency also directs the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Delaware State Police, in consultation with DEMA and the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, to close bridges and roads as necessary to protect the health and safety of Delawareans and travelers.

Read State of Emergency

Read State of Emergency Termination 

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Tropical Storm Isaias Damage Reporting

Tropical Storm Warning for Delaware

DelDOT Advisory for Tropical Storm Impact

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday issued a State of Emergency to coordinate response and recovery efforts following the high winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding due to Tropical Storm Isaias. The State of Emergency is effective as of 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, until further notice.

“Several communities in Delaware experienced significant damage from Tropical Storm Isaias,” said Governor Carney. “We are declaring a State of Emergency to provide coordinated assistance for response and recovery efforts from this storm damage. Severe weather can happen quickly. I urge all Delawareans to stay safe, and prepare for any future weather events by visiting preparede.org.”

The State of Emergency allows the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) to direct and coordinate the resources to assist with response in the areas affected by the storm. The State of Emergency also directs the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Delaware State Police, in consultation with DEMA and the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, to close bridges and roads as necessary to protect the health and safety of Delawareans and travelers.

Read State of Emergency

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Related news:

Tropical Storm Isaias Damage Reporting

Tropical Storm Warning for Delaware

DelDOT Advisory for Tropical Storm Impact

DOVER, Del. — About 1 in 6 Americans gets sick every year from foodborne illnesses. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), FDA and the USDA work closely to trace the cause and origin of these illnesses. Traceability is key so the origin is quickly detected, and a recall enacted, preventing others from becoming ill. Preparation and planning are necessary for produce growers and businesses in the supply chain to successfully navigate a product recall.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program will present the United Fresh Recall Ready Workshop on January 22, 2020 at Dover Downs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. Registration is required, but the event is free for registered attendees.

The Recall Ready Workshop is a one-day, hands-on training that will help producers and companies understand the fundamentals of a product recall. Attendees will gain an understanding of their rights and responsibilities, the role of FDA and/or state regulatory agencies, how to limit their liability, and how to manage customer expectations. During a crisis, effectively communicating to the industry, customers, consumers, and the media is vital. Developing a communications plan that incorporates key points and answers media questions, can make all the difference in minimizing the impact on the local business and economy.

Registration is available online at https://de.gov/producesafety or by emailing Anna Wicks at anna.wicks@delaware.gov. The workshop is limited to the first 56 registrants. Registration closes on January 10.

Funding for this workshop was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

The Delaware Department of Education today released 2018 biennial reports on the state’s teacher and specialist educator preparation programs, part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen educator preparation programs in the First State.

The reports provide information ranging from the diversity of programs’ candidate classes to student performance outcomes of graduates, to employment placement and retention within the state. The reports show progress on some fronts, most notably that the state’s institutes of higher education are making some progress in attracting a more diverse class of future educators.

In 2018, across all educator preparation programs in Delaware, 1 in 4 candidates identified as an individual of color, compared to 1 in 5 two years ago. While about 56 percent of Delaware’s student population identifies as a race other than white, only 15 percent of the educator workforce does.

“Diversifying the teaching workforce is an important priority for the state as we strive to create an educator workforce that is more reflective of our student population,” Secretary of Education Susan Bunting said. “While we still have work to do, I commend the work our colleges and universities have undertaken to more successfully attract candidates of color to and retain them in their teacher preparation programs.”

The reports also show gains for specific programs.  Delaware State University has increased its program sizes across the board, for example. And University of Delaware’s Blended Early Childhood Program increased its overall score thanks to increases in student outcomes and the observation of teacher practices in PK-2 classrooms as well as supervisor perceptions of the program graduates’ level of preparedness.

The program reports garner programs continued approval to operate based on data.  Programs are classified into the following categories based on their performance – Renewed, Renewed With Conditions, or Probation.  Some particularly small programs are noted to be a Program Under Further Review due to extremely limited data. 

The reports provide prospective students considering educator preparation programs in Delaware a resource for learning about their options while the state’s districts and charter schools have additional information on the strengths of each program.

About half of Delaware’s novice educators are prepared by Delaware preparation programs; the reports are a part of the state’s overall strategy to strengthen such programs throughout the state. 

All available performance data is used to classify all programs, whether or not they generated a program report. Overall the 2018 results show 28 programs categorized as renewed, 9 programs renewed with conditions, and two programs on probation. Additionally, 14 programs are classified as a program under further review due to insufficient data. Programs that are renewed with conditions or placed on probation will be required to submit a plan of action for improvement to the Delaware Department of Education.  Programs under further review must demonstrate the workforce need the program is meeting and additional evidence of meeting program standards.   A state summary of all programs is also included in the release.

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006