Public feedback sought for Delaware State Report Card

The Delaware Department of Education is seeking online public feedback on data visuals that will be used in the Delaware State Report Card.

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires public reporting on schools. The Delaware Department of Education is developing the Delaware State Report Card to replace the current School Profiles site to meet these requirements.

In October, the Delaware Department of Education hosted five community conversation meetings throughout the state to provide background about the Delaware Report Card and to solicit revision recommendations for how educational information and data will be shared with the public. Now the department needs additional feedback on data visuals. Data visuals along with guiding context, business rules, and specific data points will help provide a more comprehensive, accurate and transparent picture of state, district and school performance to the public.

The survey can be accessed through the DOE School Profiles – Stakeholder Engagement page or directly through this link. The survey will close on March 1.

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


Secretary Bunting to ‘Love the Bus’

Secretary of Education to honor school bus drivers and aides

Secretary of Education Susan Bunting, joined by Capital School District Superintendent Dan Shelton, will thank bus drivers and bus aides at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at William Henry Middle School as part of the state’s celebration of the 11th annual national Love the Bus program this month.

Governor John Carney issued a proclamation recognizing school bus drivers and aides for their contributions to safe school transportation.

The Love the Bus program, founded in 2007 and coordinated by the American School Bus Council (ASBC), is celebrated on Valentine’s Day, and throughout February, in school communities across the country as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 25 million school children to and from school each day. It is also an opportunity for families and children to learn more about the safety and environmental benefits of school bus transportation.

Delawareans are encouraged to share their love online with the hashtag #DElovesthebus.

William Henry Middle School is located at 65 Carver Road in Dover.

 

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


19 schools recognized for students’ academic achievement

UPDATE: Learn more about the winning schools here.

Schools from all three counties have earned honors for their students’ academic achievements.

The Delaware Department of Education on Tuesday named 15 schools 2017 Recognition Schools, two of which also were designated as National Title I Distinguished Schools. Each school will receive an $8,000 award. Funding for the awards comes from the state’s School Improvement funds. Additionally, there are four Schools of Continued Excellence that were honored as Recognition Schools last year and had outstanding performance again this year. These schools are not eligible for a financial award again until 2018.

“I congratulate the students, educators and families whose hard work and support led to these achievements,” Secretary of Education Susan Bunting said. “These school communities have provided educational programs and created school cultures that allow students to thrive. We must learn from what is working well in these buildings and replicate these successes across our state.”

National Title I Distinguished School awards are presented by the National Association of State Title I Directors. Recognition School awards were created by legislation 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.

The winning schools have discretion in deciding how to spend their award money to benefit their students and school as a whole. 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.

Two of the schools are National Title I Distinguished School awardees chosen for exceptional performance. National Title I Distinguished Schools are Title I schools that met national criteria and have not been Title I Distinguished school awardees in the past two years.

Recognition Schools are chosen for exceptional performance and/or closing the achievement gap.

Schools that have received state awards during 2016 and continue to qualify for Reward or Recognition School distinction in 2017 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.

 

The 2017 winners are below:

 

National Distinguished Title I Schools and Recognition Schools
• Allen Frear Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• South Dover Elementary School, Capital School District

 

Recognition Schools
• H. O. Brittingham Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District
• Brookside Elementary School, Christina School District
• Forwood Elementary School, Brandywine School District
• Georgetown Elementary School, Indian River School District
• Georgetown Middle School, Indian River School District
• William B. Keene Elementary School, Christina School District
• Lake Forest Central Elementary, Lake Forest School District
• Lake Forest South Elementary, Lake Forest School District
• Maple Lane Elementary School, Brandywine School District
• Mispillion Elementary School, Milford School District
• North Smyrna Elementary School, Smyrna School District
• Positive Outcomes Charter School, Camden
• Selbyville Middle School, Indian River School District

 

Schools of Continued Excellence
• W. Reily Brown Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District
• Lake Forest East Elementary, Lake Forest School District
• Lake Forest North Elementary, Lake Forest School District
• Jennie E. Smith Elementary School, Christina School District

 

Pictures are available online.

 

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


Grants to prepare youth in key industries

Secretary of Education Susan Bunting today announced more than $400,000 in public grants to support new high school pathway programs. The effort expands on the statewide Delaware Pathways initiative to prepare all students to excel in key fields that offer good job opportunities in the new economy. The 40 competitive grants, awarded from federal Perkins funds, will benefit 16 districts or charter schools for the 2018-19 school year. Find a full list below.

The grants will support students as they enroll in advanced coursework and training in business information management, architectural engineering, public and community health, early childhood teacher preparation, agricultural power and engineering, and agricultural structures and engineering. This funding also expands opportunities for students to pursue training in current pathways, including business management and administration, healthcare, construction, and education and training. The new programs will begin in the 2018-19 school year.

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 employers. Students take hundreds of hours of specialized instruction and hands-on training in their pathways, giving them the opportunity to graduate with work experience, college credit, and industry credentials that are relevant to those industries. As a result, students receive a head start on getting a job and earning a degree.

“Delaware will hire or replace 30 percent of its workforce in the next eight years. These shifts require employers and schools to take a more active role in shaping Delaware’s talent pipeline,” Bunting said.

The Pathways programs currently serve about 9,000 students across 41 high schools. This is an increase from about 5,000 students last school year. Three years ago the program had one class of about 30 students.

Since 2015, more than $2 million has been allocated to support career opportunities for all youth.

Bunting made the announcement at Smyrna School District’s Smyrna High School, which is receiving five grants totaling $55,000 for its business information management, computer science, early childhood education, agriculture structures and agriculture power pathways.

“The agriculture and construction industries are facing a shortage of qualified workers, with the greying of today’s workforce. ABC Delaware is pleased to partner with the First State’s schools to help students prepare for the construction trades,” said ABC Delaware President Edward J. Capodanno. “With these new Agricultural Power & Engineering and Agricultural Structures & Engineering programs, we are helping students prepare for apprenticeships programs in construction after they graduate high school while helping to meet the needs of local businesses and companies. These programs put students on the pathway to successful employment.”

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.

College and career preparation is one of the educational focuses in Governor John Carney’s Action Plan for Delaware.

“Delaware Pathways is important for the future of our students and our state’s economy,” Carney said. “Our students learn academic and technical skills and also get meaningful work experience that prepares them for success after graduation.”

New Pathway Grant Awards Beginning in School Year 2018-19

Appoquinimink
Appoquinimink High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($10,000)
Appoquinimink High School: Public and Community Health ($6,000)
Middletown High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($10,000)
Middletown High School: Public and Community Health ($6,000)

Brandywine
Brandywine High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($13,000)
Concord High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($13,000)
Mt. Pleasant High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($13,000)

Caesar Rodney
Caesar Rodney High School: Academy of Business Information Management ($12,000)
Caesar Rodney High School: Architecture Engineering Technology ($10,000)
Caesar Rodney High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Education ($11,000)

Capital
Dover High School: Architecture Engineering Technology ($12,000)
Dover High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($6,000)

Colonial
Penn High School: Environmental and Natural Resource Science ($12,000)

Delaware Military Academy
Delaware Military Academy: Academy of Business Information Management ($12,000)

Delmar
Delmar High School: K-12 Teacher Academy ($10,000)

Indian River
Indian River High School: Computer Science ($5,000)
Indian River High School: Nurse Assisting ($11,000)
Sussex Central High School: Agriculture Power and Engineering ($14,937)
Sussex Central High School: Agriculture Structures and Engineering ($14,763)

Lake Forest
Lake Forest High School: Agriculture Power and Engineering ($15,000)

Milford
Milford High School: Agriculture Structures and Engineering ($15,000)
Milford High School: Public and Community Health ($15,000)

New Castle County Vocational Technology
Hodgson Technical High School: Cisco Networking Academy ($7,500)
Howard Technical High School: Cisco Networking Academy ($7,500)

Polytech
Polytech High School: Cisco Networking Academy ($7,500)
Polytech High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($7,000)

Red Clay
AI Dupont High School: Academy of Business Information Management ($12,000)
AI Dupont High School: K-12 Teacher Academy ($5,000)
Conrad School of Science: Computer Science ($5,000)
Thomas McKean High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($11,000)
Thomas McKean High School: Environmental and Natural Resource Science ($12,000)

Smyrna
Smyrna High School: Academy of Business Information Mgmt. ($12,000)
Smyrna High School: Agriculture Structures and Engineering ($15,000)
Smyrna High School: Computer Science ($5,000)
Smyrna High School: Early Childhood Education Teacher Academy ($8,000)
Smyrna High School: Agriculture Power and Engineering ($15,000)

Sussex Tech
Sussex Technical High School: Cisco Networking Academy ($7,500)

Woodbridge
Woodbridge High School: Agriculture Structures and Engineering ($12,821)
Woodbridge High School: Computer Science ($5,000)
Woodbridge High School: K-12 Teacher Academy ($5,000)

New and Expanded Pathways

Academy of Business Information Management
The NAF Academy of Business Information Management introduces students to the skills needed to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate business functions essential to business operations through courses focusing on entrepreneurship, global and domestic economics, information technology, customer service, and ethics. Students gain critical career knowledge through a series of work-based learning activities that are conducted in school as well as outside the classroom. These activities may include, but are not limited to, job shadowing, mock interviews, and resume writing workshops. In addition, a paid 120-hour summer internship is designed to be included as part of the program.

Agricultural Power and Engineering
The Agricultural Power and Engineering program of study provides students with the mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles and methods required to understand dynamic power systems and metal fabrication. Students practice real world applications, communication skills, and problem solving skills associated with dynamic power systems and metal fabrication. Students are prepared for a variety of careers including engineering, welding technicians, mechanical and industrial technicians, maintenance technicians, mechanical engineering, metal fabrication, CNC operators, power technology repair and troubleshooting, and green energy technologies.

Agricultural Structures and Engineering
The Agricultural Structures and Engineering program of study provides students with the scientific principles and methods required to understand the interrelationships of construction. Students practice real world applications and problem solving skills associated with agricultural designs and engineering principles. Students utilize problem solving, as well as communication skills to develop engineering concepts and building practices that are sound and reliable. The program prepares students for a variety of careers including carpentry, engineering, architectural design, electrical, plumbing, masonry, construction framing, business management, sales, building maintenance, home improvement, and green energy technologies.

Architectural Engineering Technology
The Architectural Engineering Technology program of study engages students in the world of construction and architecture through coursework focusing on site selection, drafting, architecture, and engineering planning, budgeting, cost estimating, and project management. Students utilize strategies to solve open-ended problems while they learn how to apply technical skills, knowledge, documentation techniques, and processes using modern, industry-leading technology and software. Work-based learning experiences and industry-mentored projects will introduce students to a wide array of careers such as architects, civil engineers, construction management, cost estimators, and drafters.

Computer Science
The Computer Science program of study helps students to develop analytical thinking and problem solving skills as well as algebraic reasoning and quantitate analysis necessary for careers in computer science, programming, and IT.

Early Childhood Teacher Academy
The Early Childhood Teacher Academy program of study prepares students for careers in an early childhood setting. The program engages students in developing a realistic understanding of early childhood education while exploring the importance and impact of teachers as well as the uniqueness of early childhood development. Observation opportunities including special needs and non-classroom settings, provide practical experiences to enrich the learning.

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.

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 the learning. Students participate in a long-term placement during their senior year which allows for in-depth experiences in a classroom setting.

Nursing Assisting
The Nurse Assisting program of study engages students in open-ended problem solving where they study topics such as medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology. Students will acquire important skills necessary for healthcare professionals such as medical mathematics, communication, safety practices, legal responsibilities, and teamwork. In addition, students will develop technical skills such as providing personal care of the resident while taking care of their environmental needs 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.

Public & Community Health
The Public & Community Health program of study engages students in a comprehensive approach to health. Students learn the history of public and community health as well as examine complex public health problems, major theories of disease etiology and intervention. Students explore public health issues related to epidemiology, mental health, disabilities, and substance abuse.

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


Enhanced assessments to elevate science instruction

Leona Williams, teacher at Brandywine School District’s Forwood Elementary School, has made significant changes to how she teaches science as a result of her years as a NextGen teacher leader. Now she says she is looking forward to transforming her instruction even further with the information she and others will gain on Delaware’s new science assessment, set to be operational in the 2018-19 school year.

“The data we’ll be able to gather as a state will help shape science instruction and future assessments,” she said. “For teachers, we’ll be able to better identify our students’ strengths and needs to guide our next steps in the classroom. The assessments will help us understand if we’ve been successful in facilitating broader student learning rather than having [students] narrowly focus on a specific topic.”

For more than a year, Delaware educators have been working collaboratively across districts and charter schools to create a system of assessments that measures students’ true science mastery. Phase I of the assessment planning began in Fall 2016 when students and educators participated in a research and development process to create test items. Final drafts of these items are now available online for all educators to use in classrooms.

Phase II of the plan began this fall with Delaware educators helping to design an assessment system that aligns to existing technology. Phase II also includes a Spring 2018 field test in grades 5 and 8 and in high school biology.

Williams, a 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) finalist and a 2018 Delaware Teacher of the Year nominee, is on the state’s test item review committee to develop the types of tasks and questions included on the field test and final assessment.

The test items she and others have created go beyond multiple choice and short answer questions to include innovative items that ask students to apply their science knowledge and skills to real-world situations. These types of assessments help students, families and educators gain valuable information on students’ mastery of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), replacing the state’s current Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS) science exam for grades 5, 8 and 10.

“NGSS requires students to become more active learners,” said Williams. “Instruction engages students with a phenomenon then students ask questions, plan and carry out investigations, analyze data to build understanding. Because we are preparing students to understand the world around them and to have a positive impact on the world, they need to understand information presented to them in various forms.”

At the building level, much of the work around transitioning to NGSS is being led by NextGen Teacher Leaders. For four years, the department has provided an ongoing professional learning opportunity for 200 NextGen teacher leaders and 21 team leads from schools throughout the state. These teachers meet monthly to learn about NGSS and how to use a system of classroom assessments to support student learning. NextGen teachers also receive leadership training on adult learning and coaching skills to support the work of leading the NGSS transition back in their schools.

“Having Delaware teachers design and develop tests that they know will have real impact in the classroom is key to creating our state’s strong science assessment system,” said Secretary of Education Susan Bunting. “Teachers have been leading this process from the beginning by developing test items and providing feedback on what students truly need to thrive in science, and they are thus continuing to elevate science education across the state.”

Also key to the adoption of NGSS and the development of the state’s enhanced science assessment is the Delaware Science Coalition, a group of educators, district and charter leaders, and representatives from the state’s higher education and business communities focused on providing all students with high-quality science instruction. The Delaware Science Coalition requires all curriculum and materials be vetted through a year-long process that includes use of the EQUiP rubric, development of gap lessons and embedded assessments, as well as field testing and a larger, in-class pilot. The coalition then reviews the materials and pilot results to determine if districts and charters will use the materials before students engage in the lessons on a larger scale.

 

For more information on the great things happening in schools across Delaware, sign up to receive Take Note: Education in the First State at http://www.doe.k12.de.us/takenoteTake Note is published the final Wednesday of each month.