Delaware is leading the charge in the federal government’s mission to provide internet for all. Tuesday, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the First State’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The program is a key feature of the federal government’s “Internet for All” initiative to connect everyone in America …
State test scores show 33% proficiency in math, 40% ELA
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Delaware’s state-wide test scores from the 2023-2024 school year were released Thursday, and while they are still very low, they did not get any worse than last year. That might not be saying much, as education experts across the state have been calling the low scores a “crisis” for multiple years …
Clear bookbags, weapon detectors, more coming to Delaware schools
This story was originally published on Spotlight Delaware. The reality of school shootings has plagued the nation for more than two decades, and last year saw more than 300 such incidents. While Delaware has been able to escape much of the bloodshed, recent incidents have unnerved many families and faculty. Guns have been fired inside schools amid altercations, threats have been left …
Legislator: Mental health programs hurt Delaware classrooms
A member of the state task force that’s trying to improve student behavior and school environments in schools said that tiered mental health programs are killing Delaware classroom productivity. “They don’t need all the fancy stuff,” said Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, said. “They don’t need the interventions. They don’t need the couches, they don’t need the specialists. They just need …
Here’s what happens now in districts whose referendums passed
Now that Colonial, Red Clay and Brandywine have had successful referendums, residents of those school districts may be wondering when they’ll have to pony up finances and when they’ll see new facilities. Delaware school districts that have had a successful referendum typically phase their spending over three years or more. The concept of the referendum isn’t widespread nationally. Delaware is …
6 named 2024 Superstars in Education & Training Winners
Six institutions in Delaware have been recognized by the Delaware State Chamber as 2024 Superstars in Education & Training winners. Since 1989, the awards program has recognized educational programs for innovative and impactful programming. The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, The Partnership, Inc., stated that all of this year’s winners exemplify creativity and efficacy in workforce development …
5 school districts to hold tax hike referenda in 2024
Five of Delaware’s 19 school districts are asking their residents to head to the polls in 2024 and vote for a local tax increase. In the First State, districts must hold referendums if they want to increase their local school tax in order to increase local revenue. They include the Brandywine, Red Clay Consolidated, Colonial, Smyrna and Appoquinimink. Schools get …
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 …