Accelerate’s new State Tutoring Field Guide highlights Delaware’s innovation as a national tutoring leader

Delaware is being recognized as an innovative national leader for its high-dosage tutoring partnership with Reading Assist. Accelerate, a national nonprofit focused on tutoring and learning acceleration, released a State Field Guide highlighting Delaware’s leadership in high-dosage tutoring and outlining steps, including model regulations, that other states can take to create similar programs. 

“In Delaware we are prioritizing early literacy and foundational reading skills through the implementation of science of reading legislation and our state literacy plan,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “We are excited to partner with our districts and charters in this work to improve K-3 literacy. These foundational skills are the door opener for future educational opportunities and long-term success.”

The Covid-19 pandemic set back student learning and widened pre-existing gaps between students in low-income communities and affluent communities. Delaware has taken direct measures to address learning loss by ensuring every student has the support they need to explore and unlock their potential. High-dosage tutoring is one of the strongest interventions backed in research to accelerate student learning. Reading Assist will continue to play a key role in the state’s overall academic strategy to address learning loss and promote positive student outcomes.

To have a greater impact and build capacity long-term, early literacy systems must be coherent. In addition to supporting tutoring, Delaware has provided comprehensive supports through professional learning for administrators, literacy specialists and classroom teachers.

“By making sure there is alignment and common understanding among adults, our students will have a more coherent learning experience and better outcomes,” Deputy Secretary of Education Cora Scott said.

Accelerate is a national nonprofit that launched in the context of the national achievement gaps that have worsened significantly since the pandemic. Through state partnerships, Accelerate seeks to embed high-impact tutoring programs into public schools now and for the long term. The State Tutoring Field Guide highlights Delaware’s partnership with Reading Assist as a leading example of how statewide tutoring models can work for students. 

Accelerate awarded Delaware the States Leading Recovery Grant in 2023. Since then, the state has continued to develop and grow its statewide tutoring program. Currently, in partnership with Reading Assist, nine schools are offering high-dosage tutoring services during the school day in the state to over 250 students. 

The release of Accelerate’s State Tutoring Field Guide comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Education’s recent call for educators everywhere to pursue high-dosage tutoring strategies to address the nation’s continued learning loss.

Governor John Carney has prioritized improving literacy outcomes for Delaware students. His recommended budget includes $3 million for literacy coaches to continue capacity-building and system coherence in our districts and charter schools.

“We know that proficiency by third grade is critical for a student’s future educational success. Accelerate is one of the tools we can use to promote literacy among our early readers. It’s providing much needed tutoring in schools across our state,” said Governor Carney. “As we approach summer break, we need to ensure that families are taking advantage of every opportunity they have to keep their child reading and engaged in summer learning.”

Accelerate CEO Kevin Huffman said, “In every state in the country, kids are half a year or even a full year behind their pre-pandemic trajectory. When we look at the research on interventions to reverse learning loss, high-dosage tutoring continues to deliver the best results for kids — and it’s really up to states to help districts not just implement tutoring programs, but to choose ones that are backed by data and proven to be effective. Delaware is demonstrating that this can be done, which is why we wanted to share their case study with other states and provide model regulations that other states can use as a blueprint.”  

As the nation grapples with the task of addressing students’ learning setbacks nationwide, Delaware will continue to lead in ensuring students are on the path to academic recovery. 

For more information on Accelerate’s State Field Guide, please visit https://accelerate.us/state-field-guide. For more information on Delaware’s literacy plan, visit https://www.doe.k12.de.us/literacyplan.

DOVER, Del. (January 3, 2024) – From January 1 through November 28, 2024, the United States Forest Service and state library systems across the country are celebrating Smokey’s 80th birthday by participating in the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge. The challenge is geared towards children ages 4 through 10, but all ages are welcome to join. The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge aims to engage youth in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers while they explore their local environment. The challenge is designed to complement the 2024 National Summer Library Reading Program theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library!” which will run from June through August.

“Delaware Libraries are excited to partner with the Delaware Forest Service and Smokey Bear to bring adventure and nature education to Delaware library users in 2024. Smokey Bear’s Reading Challenge means that Delaware’s children of all ages can learn about wildfire prevention, connect with nature, and have adventures at their library!” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian.

The Delaware Forest Service (DFS) is partnering with all 33 Delaware libraries to encourage children to take up the challenge. Each library will receive a package of forestry-themed books to add to their lending library, Smokey Bear signage, and prizes for those completing the challenge, to better help children and families connect with this iconic forest legend.

The Delaware Forest Service is coordinating a statewide Smokey Bear Library Tour in 2024 to promote the Reading Challenge and deliver programming on wildfire prevention and nature education to Delaware communities. During the tour, Smokey will be visiting local Delaware libraries. Ashley Melvin, the lead trainer/educator for the Delaware Forest Service, will provide educational opportunities for children using their traveling nature center. In addition, Smokey Bear will appear at community events throughout 2024, including the Delaware State Fair and holiday parades.

“We encourage families to spend time outdoors, and Delaware’s State Forests present ample opportunities to make meaningful connections with nature. Wherever your adventure takes you, Smokey’s timeless message reminds us that we all share the responsibility of keeping Delaware’s outdoor spaces safe from wildfire. Wildfire prevention and nature education are local initiatives, and a partnership with Delaware Libraries will continue to benefit Delawareans long after the Reading Challenge ends,” remarked Delaware State Forester Kyle Hoyd.

With the help of the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge, participants will have the opportunity to learn about topics, including:

• Smokey Bear history
• Campfire safety
• Nature exploration
• Careers in forestry and natural resources
• Wildfire science

“Smokey Bear is a national icon, and the Delaware Forest Service is excited to help communities celebrate his 80th birthday. The timing is perfect as a statewide initiative exists to connect Delawareans to nature to increase environmental literacy,” said Ashley Melvin, DFS Trainer/Educator. “A big component of becoming environmentally literate is adopting environmentally responsible behaviors. Since 1944, Smokey Bear’s campaign has actively engaged the public to help prevent wildfires. I anticipate 2024 to be a very busy year for Smokey Bear!”

Families interested in participating in the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge should visit their Delaware public library or sign-up online delawarelibraries.org/beanstack. Visit Delawarelibraries.org/list-of-libraries for a Delaware Libraries locations & hours. Visit the Delaware Forest Service’s Facebook page periodically for highlights and tips for earning badges. For information on requesting a Smokey Bear appearance, contact Ashley Melvin at ashley.melvin@delaware.gov. To learn more about the Communities in Nature Initiative, visit daeeonline.org.

The students at Caesar Rodney School District’s Allen Frear and Stokes elementary schools are seeing amazing reading gains this year thanks to their use of high quality instructional materials (HQIM). Secretary of Education Mark Holodick and Deputy Secretary Cora Scott visited the schools to hear firsthand about the district’s implementation journey as well as see students present their work.

The district has been using American Reading Company (ARC) to promote reading in kindergarten through grade 5. Initially, the district piloted ARC in their upper elementary grades. At the same time, they focused on supporting teachers with professional learning to ensure HQIM was implemented with fidelity. After observing the excitement and culture of reading growth in the schools as well as the gains students made in reading, the district decided to adopt ARC for their primary grades as well.

Caesar Rodney is currently exploring adding some of these elements to pre-k instruction to further support early literacy and continuity in services.

In Caesar Rodney’s words:

High Quality Instructional Materials matter, but how teachers use these materials matters more. Caesar Rodney invested in professional learning from the very start. With the support of DDOE’s Reimagining Professional Learning grant, we were able to implement monthly elbow-to-elbow coaching that was differentiated to meet the individual needs of our teachers – and in real time with students. Additionally, our leadership teams meet monthly to review data, collaborate, and develop differentiated school plans that further support the district’s vision.

Coaching, feedback and building capacity to provide support across schools are crucial elements of our plan. During the HQIM showcase, Stokes Elementary Principal Freeman Williams shared that their coach-the-coach model, “works so well with the culture and climate of Team Stokes.” Stokes also uses the School Success Block (SSB) model to plan sessions for reviewing student data, developing teacher action plans, and sharing powerful moves made throughout the school.

Allen Frear Principal Julie Lavender believes the opportunity to grow instructional leaders in her building has allowed Allen Frear to develop a professional learning plan that supports teachers in between ARC coaching sessions. Teacher leaders are ensuring there is ongoing support and capacity to further strengthen teacher practices and student achievement.

New to Allen Frear, third-grade teacher Courtney Freebairn says she believes ARC has made her think about English language arts (ELA) instruction differently, which benefits her students.

“With all the professional learning and support from the school, I am confident my students will perform well,” said Freebairn.

Nicole Pennypacker, a fifth grade teacher at Stokes Elementary, credits the ARC Units of Study in grounding students in the reading and writing process as well.

“Through this work, we are building student stamina,” said Pennypacker. “The students are feeling confident in their ability to apply their learning, regardless of the task.”

Learn more about the great things happening in Delaware schools in this month’s Take Note: Education in the First State eNewsletter. Sign up to receive Take Note at Take Note Newsletter – Delaware Department of Education. Take Note is published the final Wednesday of each month.

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

The Delaware Department of Education today launched its Summer of Opportunity website, a searchable database to help families find school- and community-based learning opportunities for their children this summer.

The site, which allows users to toggle between map and table views, helps Delawareans find programs based on targeted grades, dates, location, cost, sponsoring organization and transportation options. Enrollment in some offerings, such as school-based programs, may only be open to specific populations, such as enrolled students, while others have open admission. The site collects the diverse offerings in one location to make it easier for families to navigate opportunities.

“We want every Delaware student to have enriching experiences this summer with opportunities for formal and informal learning,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “For one student that may mean attending science camp at a park, for another it may mean enrolling in a school program that integrates English language arts supports and sports and for a third it could be a series of day trips with family and friends to explore the rich offerings of our region. Most important is that our students are engaged in some sort of learning and exploration this summer so they return to school in the fall ready to learn and succeed in the new school year. We hope this site helps families find such opportunities.”

Organizations that have not yet submitted their offerings and would like to be included should email Delaware.Department.of.Education@doe.k12.de.us.

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

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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