A new statewide initiative is aiming to bolster school board leadership across Delaware by equipping newly elected members with free, practical training and support from day one. First State Educate (FSE), a nonprofit education advocacy organization, officially launched Board First 2025, a no-cost, comprehensive training program tailored for Delaware’s school board members. The initiative is designed to strengthen governance in …
It’s that time of year again, and with voter turnout historically bad – sub 10% – education experts urge the public to participate in Tuesday’s school board elections. “Tomorrow’s school board elections are a powerful opportunity for Delawareans to shape the future of public education,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “The leaders we choose will guide …
Update: the forum for Colonial and Brandywine school districts have been canceled because there is only one uncontested candidate, thus no election race. A state educational advocacy group is hosting six forums to better inform Delaware voters of their options ahead of the May 13 school board elections. School board forums First State Educate announced the following meetings Monday: Smyrna: …
C-O-D-S-W-A-L-L-O-P. Siara Husain from Newark’s Islamic Academy won the 2025 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee over the weekend, securing her victory with the word “codswallop,” which essentially means nonsense of foolishness. More than 50 talented spellers from across Delaware for the event, hosted by First State Educate. With more than 200 attendees, the event was a vibrant celebration of education and …
First Staters hoping to get involved and make an impact in their community schools have until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, to file candidacy in the May 13 school board elections. Criteria for running for a school board seat includes: Be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Delaware and the school district they seek to represent. Be at …
Delaware recovered from learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic at one of the worst rates in the entire country. A new report from the Education Recovery Scorecard, compiled by researchers from Harvard and Stanford universities, sheds light on how students in Delaware and across the nation are faring in their recovery from the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic. …
The state of Delaware has a new secretary of education, and she’s been plucked from her role as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Cindy Marten will replace current secretary Mark Holodick, leaving an agency that President-Elect Donald Trump has sworn to close. “I am honored to join Governor-elect Meyer’s team and help lead Delaware’s public schools into a …
D-E-L-A-W-A-R-E, Delaware. A state education group has partnered with the world-renowned and televised Scripps National Spelling Bee to host the state bee and encourage students who wouldn’t normally participate to do so. First State Educate is set to become a regional partner for the competition and the statewide sponsor for Delaware. The group’s 2025 Regional Spelling Bee will prioritize opportunities …
First State Educate, a state educational advocacy organization, has launched a mini grant program that will distribute a total of $10,000 to Delaware school board members. “School boards play a pivotal role in decision making that can directly impact student outcomes,” said Julia Keleher, chief strategy and operations officer at First State Educate. The grants will help enhance the effectiveness …
The president of the tumultuous Christina School District Board of Education said a new – and free – training program from a state education group is much needed and very beneficial. “I’ve had this conversation with other legislators about bringing in organizations like School Board Partners to train our board members, and I think if you look at what’s going …
