August 10, 2015
Delaware News
Office of the Governor
Internet privacy and safety agenda becomes law with Governor’s signature
A press release
The Student Data Privacy Protection Act prevents educational technology service providers from selling or improperly disclosing the personal data of Delaware schoolchildren, or using it to send targeted advertising to students or their families
Coastal Point
School board approves $49.9M budget
The Indian River School District’s Board of Education has approved a balanced budget of $49,922,101 for the 2016 fiscal year. That is a slight increase, of about $400,000, from the 2015 budget, reflecting both population growth (more taxpayers) and some reduction in the overall tax rate.
The News Journal
Preparing kids with disabilities for work
One of the many hurdles people with disabilities in life face is a higher-than-typical unemployment rate. As Delaware tries to change that, the state is working to give students ages 14-22 “transitional programs” that will give them the personal and job skills they need to make the leap from the school system to the workforce or college.
Delaware Public Media
Gov. Markell addresses Wilmington schools in weekly message
In his weekly message, Gov. Jack Markell is touting legislation to redraw school district lines within Delaware’s largest cities: “By seizing this moment to transform Wilmington’s schools, we’ll create greater opportunities for students and families to reach their potential. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.”
Smyrna-Clayton Sun-Times
Teachers put classroom tech to work
The classroom setting in Kent County is evolving. Overhead projectors, chalkboards, and in some cases books are slowly being replaced by smartboards, tablets, laptops and smart phones.
USDA supports construction of a new Head Start facility in Smyrna
USDA Rural Development State Director Bill McGowan joined federal, state and local officials for a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for Telamon Corporation’s newest Head Start facility on Brenford Road in Smyrna.
Delaware State News
Shelton excited to take over Capital superintendent post
Dr. Shelton said he plans to not only call on teachers, parents and students, but the community at large, to help shape the future of the district. After all, Capital’s outlook affects everyone.
The Milford Beacon
Community Center collecting school supplies for the needy
The Milford Community Center is trying to help homeless families and the truly needy in the Milford School District with the upcoming school year fast approaching.
Middletown Transcript
Personnel changes announced in Appoquinimink School District
The new school year will bring a few new faces in important roles at Appoquinimink School District schools. A series of staff changes for this upcoming school year have been announced including the hiring of a new assistant superintendent and new principals at Everett Meredith and Louis Redding middle schools.
National News
Albuquerque Journal
New Mexico teacher evaluations see change
New Mexico’s Public Education Department will no longer require school districts to use test scores and other data to evaluate roughly 1,000 teachers who teach subjects that don’t use standardized testing – removing one of the most controversial components of the evaluation system.
Education Week
Educators work to stave off ‘summer melt’
Instead of heading to the beach, some counselors and youth groups are working hard to ensure that students who planned to go to college actually make it there.
The New York Times
Teacher shortages spur a nationwide hiring scramble (credentials optional)
In a stark about-face from just a few years ago, school districts have gone from handing out pink slips to scrambling to hire teachers. Across the country, districts are struggling with shortages of teachers, particularly in math, science and special education — a result of the layoffs of the recession years combined with an improving economy in which fewer people are training to be teachers.
Judge rules New York teacher exam did not discriminate against minorities
A federal judge on Friday ruled that a new licensing exam for teachers given by New York State did not discriminate against minorities, saying that even though they tended to score poorly, the test evaluated skills necessary to do the job.
Bellwether Education Partner
Rethinking teacher preparation: Empowering Local schools to solve California’s teacher shortage and better develop teachers
California lacks a coherent strategy to grow the supply of high-quality teachers. A variety of organizations have identified weaknesses in the state’s teacher preparation programs and policies, but many of their recommendations would impose new requirements that lack research support and could further reduce the number and diversity of teacher candidates.