Although just 31% of students in Delaware are proficient in math and 41% are proficient in English language arts, the graduation rate in First State high schools is 88%. âWhile Delaware’s graduation rate is encouraging, understanding achievement requires a deeper look at student growth throughout their K-12 experience,â said Julia Keleher, chief strategy and operating officer for First State Educate, …
School behavioral infractions remain above 30,000 annually
A state committee created to evaluate and make recommendations to improve the environment of schools had its third meeting Monday night in which it learned that there were more than 30,000 behavioral infractions to middle and high school students in 2022. Although that number dropped in 2023, it was still north of 11,000 for high schoolers and nearly 14,000 for …
Get to know Milfordâs Shannon Gronau, Behavioral Pro of the Year
Shannon Gronau from the Milford School District believes the movement behind mental health after the pandemic has shifted the paradigm of society and of public education. The counselor at Mispillion Elementary School was recently named 2024 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year, an award honoring outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers …
Del. DOE to provide support, coaching for college financial aid
College is more expensive than it’s ever been, but a state agency is trying to financially ease the burden for Delaware students looking to advance their education post-high school. The Delaware Department of Education announced Thursday that itâs offering support to students applying for financial aid for college who have been affected by delayed federal financial aid determinations. âWe will …
4 Delaware teachers finalists for national math, science award
In a time where science and math teachers are hard to come by, four of them from the First State have been named finalists for a national award. The four STEM teachers have been picked by the Delaware Department of Education to represent the state for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. That’s the highest recognition …
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 theyâll have to pony up finances and when theyâll 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 isnât widespread nationally. Delaware is …
Teacher pay committee to focus now on career laddersÂ
The state committee responsible for making recommendations on the pay of educators now turns its focus to creating leadership and career advancement opportunities for teachers. Its last public meeting was in early January, when it presented its suggestions to the General Assembly. The committee was formed by Senate Bill 100 to make salary suggestions on each educator employee group to …
Hereâs how Delaware slices its school funding pie
One might find it hard to believe that laundry, driverâs ed and athletic travel and equipment are considered âinstructional costsâ in Delaware public schools, but they are. Instruction is one of nine categories of funding for the First Stateâs public schools. It makes up 55.28% of the spending for the 23-24 school year, totaling $1,584,970,346, according to the Delaware State …
What happens if youâre waitlisted from school of choice?
After wading through the process of school choice, Erin Exelby found herself woken up in the middle of the night worrying what would happen if her children were waitlisted from their top selections. School districts sent parents and children emails about a month ago saying whether they were accepted, denied or waitlisted for their preferred schools. Waitlisting essentially means that …
Sussex community vocalizes needs, hope for education
A few dozen parents of students, educators and concerned community members shared their frustrations with education in Delaware and hopes for the future during a town hall Wednesday night. The few students in the crowd received applause and praise from the crowd for caring enough to be involved in changing the status quo of a system still funded by an …