February 17, 2017
Delaware News
The News Journal
Black history panel held at Stanton Middle School
More than 80 students will come together to celebrate the legacy, culture, and history of African-Americans during a Black History Month panel and breakfast at Stanton Middle School, 1800 Limestone Road, Wilmington, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Feb. 24.
Serviam celebrates Black History Month
Serviam Girls Academy will host a Black History Month celebration from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23. The school-wide event will feature displays on “social change makers” such as Ruby Bridges, Katherine Johnson and Barack Obama. While dressed in character, students will present research on these trailblazers.
Counselor of the year named at Georgetown Middle School
Erin Crooks, of Georgetown Middle School, has been named Delaware’s Middle School Counselor of the Year for 2017. The award is given by the Delaware School Counselor Association and includes a $500 cash prize. Crooks is now eligible for the overall state Counselor of the Year award, which will be announced in March.
Star Hill fifth-grader starstruck by Lisa Blunt Rochester
Star Hill Elementary School fifth-grader Nariel Marshall, overwhelmed at meeting Delaware’s very first Congresswoman Monday, promptly asked Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester for an autograph during a school trip honoring Black History Month.
Appo senior self-publishes book as her senior project
The short story Vanessa Leigh Rupertus wrote in freshman English evolved into something much more. It became a novel – and the Appoquinimink High student’s senior project. All Appoquinimink School District seniors must devote 50 hours of documented time to a creative, service or research senior project. Students present their projects on March 17, with ninth- through 11th graders off so that teachers, administrators, board members and community members can sit in.
Rodel Blog
Introducing the Legislative Hall Pass: Crunching the numbers on Delaware’s education budget
Blog post by Melissa Hopkins, director of external affairs and Neil Kirschling, program officer at the Rodel Foundation of Delaware
The Legislative Hall Pass is a new series at the Rodel blog. Our team of experts will examine the most pressing education bills and issues emerging from the 149th Delaware General Assembly, and weigh in with commentary, context, and data. With elections far off in the rearview mirror, inaugurations wrapped, and cabinet members trickling their way into position, the real work is set to begin in earnest for elected officials, and especially the 149th Delaware General Assembly.
Digging Deeper: Are Delaware students safe and engaged?
Blog post by Shyanne Miller, policy associate at the Rodel Foundation of Delaware
“Digging Deeper” is a recurring feature at the Rodel blog where we take some data on Delaware public schools—and put it under the microscope. In the spirit of our Public Education at a Glance, we’ll present a straightforward look at the numbers, and search for some deeper meaning. Academic achievement is but one aspect of student success.
A wholehearted approach to learning
Blog post by Paul Herdman, president and ceo at the Rodel Foundation of Delaware
A few years ago, my fellow members of the Vision Coalition and I began reaching out to Delawareans. We wanted to hear what they thought a well-educated young person would need to know and be able to do in the year 2025. What we heard from more than 4,000 people was not surprising. People told us that better academics and improved test scores are important—being able to read and understand math would still be foundational. But they wanted more than that.
The importance of employability skills
Blog post by Jermaine Williams, cooperative employment coordinator at St. Georges Technical High School and Rodel Teacher Council member
As the cooperative employment coordinator at St. Georges Technical High School, my job, in conjunction with our career and technical instructors, is to usher our senior students out into the working world as employed adults. It’s a tough job, especially considering that we have 254 seniors spread across 15 different career programs, which span from construction to automotive to business to early childhood to food service and nursing.
Technical.ly
Here’s how Linden Hill Elementary is participating in Digital Learning Day
Digital Learning Day (DLD) is just around the corner. Across the state on Feb. 23, teachers can join in on this national celebration of technology in education through a tweet-a-thon aimed at sharing education news and innovative teaching techniques. Some schools, such as Linden Hill Elementary in Pike Creek, have decided to go beyond just a Twitter chat.
Dover Post
High school, Charlton students in synch at café
Students from the John S. Charlton School and Caesar Rodney High School are working together to ensure Riders have a nice cup of coffee in the morning. From 7:30 to 9 each morning, students from Charlton rendezvous with culinary students at the high school to work the Brew and Gold Café.
National News
Edutopia
The crisis in Black Education: Crafting mirrors where kids can see themselves
The theme of Black History Month this year is “The Crisis in Black Education.” The scope of the crisis is considerable: Results from the National Assessment for Educational Progress—a test that’s also known as the Nation’s Report Card—show almost no change in the achievement gap between white and black students over the past 50 years. To help unpack the challenges facing African American students, we talked to educators who are tackling this crisis and implementing meaningful solutions.
NPR
Beyond DeVos, what 5 key Trump appointees could mean for schools
The action in the U.S. school system is overwhelmingly local. But the federal government, and the courts, have an important hand in many issues that touch classrooms — from civil rights to international programs of study. We looked at the records of some of President Trump’s key appointees to see how they might affect education in the years to come.
The Seattle Times
Education Secretary: Community colleges key for growth
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is highlighting the importance of community colleges in creating economic growth and helping people find jobs. DeVos is addressing a forum of education leaders in Washington. She’s praising community colleges as “essential engines” for the economy.
Yahoo!
States plan to support, expand personalized learning through ESSA implementation
The first federal deadline for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan submissions is quickly approaching, and a new KnowledgeWorks tool gives a comprehensive look at the ideas states are considering to personalize learning for their students.