Rodel, a local nonprofit espousing better education in Delaware, calls the 151st General Assembly, which just ended, the “Education General Assembly,” in regard to the number of education bills that passed. “There’s more than 50 education bills this session and a 7% increase in the budget,” said Madeleine Bayard, senior vice president of Rodel. “They got a lot done and …
Delaware students make several Top 10 lists at healthcare conference
Several First State students finished in the top 10 of events at the 45th annual HOSA Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference in Nashville. The gathering of 10,500 students and advisors from across the world included more than 150 Delawareans competing in events such as medical reading, epidemiology, sports medicine, community awareness, dental terminology and health education. 15 Delaware students …
10 for 10: Delaware students shine at national STEM conference
Eight different Delaware students finished in the top 10 of 10 different competitions at this year’s national STEM conference in Dallas. Overall, 103 Delaware students competed in the event, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The events included computer-aided design, dragster design, leadership strategies, manufacturing prototype, on-demand video, promotional graphics, structural engineering, system control technology, video game design, …
Your guide to the July Fourth weekend in Delaware
July Fourth – a day filled with BBQs, backyard cornhole, and beach trips – is just around the corner. With travel agencies expecting around 12% of the state’s population to pack up and head out on vacation, here’s what to know about Independence Day in the First State: Travel AAA Mid-Atlantic expects 116,000 Delawareans to travel at least 50 miles …
Bill to make state ed loans into scholarships heads to Senate
A bill that would transform certain loans to scholarships to encourage students to pursue careers in education and other needed career fields was released by the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. It was the committee’s last hearing in this legislative session, which began in January 2021 and spanned two years. The bill already has passed the House and is now eligible …
Bill to block 5-mile radius charter preference rule draws heat
A bill that would bar charter schools from giving preference in student admissions to those living within a 5-mile radius of the school faced a lot of scrutiny in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday. House Bill 238 was passed by the House on May 5, although it faced concerns in the House hearings as well. Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, D-Wilmington, said …
More legislation in the works to address teacher shortage
A bill that would help address the state’s lingering concern over a teacher shortage was unanimously released by the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. House Bill 430, now headed to the Senate floor, would encourage schools to begin a Grow Your Own Educator Program, which supporters believe will improve recruitment, retention and diversity of teachers in the First State’s public schools. …
Bill OKing medical marijuana patients owning guns heads to Senate floor
A bill that would allow medical marijuana patients to obtain a firearm will head to the Senate floor. The bill, which passed the House on June 14, continued to draw strong public support before it was passed 6-0 by the Senate Health and Social Services Committee Wednesday. Under House Bill 276, a patient registered in Delaware’s medical marijuana program would …
Delaware schools pushed to declare Diwali a holiday
A Hindu activist last week praised Brandywine School District as the first in Delaware to close so students could celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. Students will be off, but only because that is a day the district designated for parent-teacher conferences. Staff members will be working. In 2023, Diwali falls on a Sunday. But the system has not …
Bill to ban colleges asking about criminal history sparks debate
A bill that would prohibit higher education institutions from asking about an applicant’s criminal history is headed to the Delaware House. It drew a lot of comment during a hearing Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee and ultimately passed with one yay and three on its merits. It was approved Thursday by the Senate, sending it to the …