From delaying opening for a year to having to create a waitlist, it’s fair to say that there’s a lot of excitement for the state’s newest and 24th charter school: the Bryan Allen Stevenson School Of Excellence (BASSE). The charter, originally scheduled to open its doors in fall 2023, will be opening fall of this year, school officials confirm. RELATED: …
Military students could get priority in school choice
Military families in Delaware could receive a scholastic perk in the world of school choice with a new bill that unanimously was voted for in the House Education Committee Wednesday afternoon. House Bill 354, sponsored by Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, D-Wilmington, gives the dependent children of active military members, full-time Delaware National Guard members, and active duty members of a reserve …
Many happy with mandatory school board finance training bill
School board members, who are in large part responsible for the spending decisions of millions of dollars from school districts, could soon be required to undergo financial training. House Bill 312, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and chair of the House Education Committee, which requires school board members to undergo training in financial responsibility. Legislators in the Senate Education …
What happens if you’re 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 …
Charter schools hope report sparks more transparent funding
Although they are not traditional district schools, Delaware’s charter schools are still public, which means they will be affected by any changes from the long-awaited funding assessment released last week. The $700,000 report by the American Institutes for Research was required as part of a settlement of a lawsuit charging the state was not adequately or fairly educating children. Now …
Here’s what parents dealing with school choice say it’s like
As Mia McIntyre navigates her first rodeo of school choice for her daughter, she’s found it fairly easy, but with some surprisingly stressful points in Delaware’s process. Xavia Davis finds the process burdensome and said she was treated rudely by district employees who seemed entitled to know why she wanted to choice her children away from the district. Nicole Kowal, …
School choice application window now open; closes Jan. 10
Today – Monday, Nov. 6 – is the first day Delaware’s school choice window opens, allowing parents to file applications to send their children to a school outside of their neighborhood. “Every child learns differently, which is why Delaware being a ‘school choice’ state is so important,” said Kendall Massett, executive director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network. “This week, …
Positive Outcomes Charter kicks off 6 renewal hearings
Positive Outcomes Charter School of Camden came prepared for its sixth meeting with a state committee that reviews Delaware’s charter schools’ progress. Positive Outcomes showed the committee a short video presenting a lot of anecdotal and data-based successes. We’re very proud to be in front of you today seeking our sixth renewal of our school,” said Ed Emmett, school director. …
6 charter schools up for renewal, decision in December
Six of the First State’s 23 charter schools are up for renewal this year and will have their futures decided at the State Board of Education’s December meeting. First State Military Academy, Freire Charter School Wilmington, Great Oaks Charter School, Kuumba Academy Charter School, Positive Outcomes Charter School and Sussex Montessori School are the six that submitted their renewal application …
Ed leaders detail what they consider legislation highlights
With the 2023 General Assembly session ending in June, educational advocates are cheering the legislature’s action on early education, mental health support and transparency relating to school boards. One leader, though, would like to see bills that focus on letting parents know clearly and precisely what’s happening in the classroom, starting with easy to find proficiency ratings. About 60 bills …










