October 10, 2013
Local News
The Washington Post
Markell joins Delaware business, school leaders to discuss state’s education reform efforts
Gov. Jack Markell says Delaware needs to raise starting salaries for teachers as part of the state’s effort to improve public schools. Markell on Wednesday also called for higher pay for math and science teachers and for educators teaching in difficult school settings. Markell joined Delaware education and business leaders at the 6th annual Vision 2015 Conference on Education at the University of Delaware.
The News Journal
Delaware Vision 2015: School leaders see some progress
What is going right in Delaware’s education system? What areas need work? And how do we improve? Those were the questions on the table at the Vision 2015 conference, which drew top education leaders ranging from lawmakers to nonprofit leaders to school superintendents and teachers. Vision 2015 is a group spearheaded by the nonprofit Rodel Foundation that seeks to make Delaware a “world-class education system.” Each year, its conference serves as one of the biggest forums for “big ideas” in education in Delaware.
Markell wants ‘new career paths’ for teachers, he says
Gov. Jack Markell says he wants to change the way teachers are paid, including a possible pay increase, according to a speech he made this morning. Speaking at the Vision 2015 educational conference, Markell said he would support increasing teacher pay, especially for teachers who work at high-risk schools and in critically needed subject areas. Markell also said he wants to find a way to “create new career paths” for teachers.
Making Common Core a common standard
An op-ed by Amber Augustus, a fifth-grade teacher in the Smyrna School District and the 2012 Delaware State Teacher of the Year, and Courtney Fox, a first-grade teacher in the Brandywine School District and the 2008 Delaware State Teacher of the Year
Recently, there has been a movement to adopt a common set of standards that set higher expectations for student learning in schools throughout the United States. The Common Core State Standards are a clear set of student learning standards that require deeper critical thinking from our students and reflect the skills needed to be successful in a 21st century economy. Common Core defines goals and benchmarks and will support teachers with clear expectations for what students need to learn, ensure continuity in learning across grade levels and allow states to compare the progress of students.
Christina School Board fills District F vacant seat with Elizabeth Campbell Paige
Elizabeth Campbell Paige was sworn in Tuesday night to fill the District F seat on the Christina School Board vacated by Gina Backus, who moved out of the district. Paige will serve through the rest of the year. The remainder of the term through 2016 will be decided in next year’s school elections.
WDEL
Vision 2015 conference held in Newark
Education and business leaders met at the University of Delaware in Newark Wednesday for the 6th annual Vision 2015 conference. Among the issues discussed at the conference was teachers’ salaries. Gov. Markell says educators should get a pay increase as part of the state’s efforts to improve the public school system. Markell also says educators who teach math and science in difficult settings should also receive higher pay. Education secretary Mark Murphy says the conference also looked at how to implement recent policies and initiatives.
New dual language charter school coming to Wilm.
The state’s first dual-language Expeditionary Learning elementary charter school plans to open its doors in August of next year. Students will split their time learning in both English and Spanish at Academia Antonia Alonso or La Academia.
WHYY
Delaware educators talk strategy at Vision 2015
Hundreds of state educators participated in the Vision 2015 conference presented by the Rodel Foundation of Delaware. The program brings together state leaders and education innovators to talk about the long-term goals of education in the First State. Gov. Jack Markell highlighted some of the state’s progress over the past few years such as getting more low-income children into quality pre-school programs. “The population of low-income kids in preschool has increased from one out of every 20 to one out of every three of those enrolled in a quality rated pre-school program,” he explained. He also talked about the success of the world language immersion program where some Delaware students spend half of their day learning in English and the other half learning in a foreign language.
Delaware State News
Common Core Standards in spotlight at Vision 2015 conference
At the Vision 2015 conference on Wednesday, hundreds of stakeholders met to discuss long-term goals for education in Delaware. And as teachers and policy-makers looked to the future, they recognized that the Common Core State Standards will play a big role there. The standards are a set of benchmarks in reading and math — they’ve been adopted by 45 states, including Delaware.
Delaware Department of Education
2014 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be chosen from among 19 outstanding educators
Delaware teachers have been nominated for the honor of being named Delaware’s Teacher of the Year for 2014. Selected from among the 9,000 public school teachers in the state, the nominees each represent one of the state’s 19 school districts. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the annual awards banquet. The reception begins at 5 p.m. at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover. The program begins at 6 p.m. with the winner named at the end of the night. Funding for the award ceremony is made in part by a grant from the ING Foundation. The candidates were nominated by their districts during the 2013 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.
Cape Gazette
Partnership encourages low-income students to aim high
A new partnership between the state of Delaware and the College Board could mean more opportunities for low-income students applying to institutions of higher learning. “The College Board is delighted to partner with Delaware on this critical effort to expand access to opportunity for students,” said David Coleman, president of the College Board. “The Delaware partnership is at the forefront of the College Board’s efforts to ensure that students across the country pursue the opportunities they have earned.”
National News
Daily Times
Help promised for Pa.’s lowest performing schools; including 6 in Delco
Philadelphia schools and privately operated charter schools dominated a Department of Education list released Tuesday of Pennsylvania’s 92 lowest-performing schools — including six in Delaware County — that will be in line to get help under a new strategy to meet federal guidelines. The six Delco schools include four in Chester Upland, and one each in Upper Darby and William Penn.
Boston Globe
Mass. to provide more vouchers for early education
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced that his administration plans to issue more than 3,000 new vouchers that will enable the low-income children to receive early education services. The legislature approved $15 million in additional funding for early education for this year. But that was considerably less than the $131 million Patrick had sought, with the goal of eliminating the waitlist.
Los Angeles Times
More schools opening Advanced Placement courses to all students
Alex Wong, a junior at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, is working hard for admission to an elite college. His resume boasts nearly straight A’s in rigorous classes, a summer program experience at Stanford University, an Eagle Scout project, club soccer, school choir. But his steady progress hit an unexpected roadblock this year. Aiming to open access to college-level Advanced Placement courses, the school switched to a computer-based lottery to distribute spaces. Alex initially got shut out of all three courses he requested. The new system caused an uproar among families whose children failed to get into AP courses, which many consider critical to develop advanced skills, boost grade-point averages and allow students to earn college credit, saving tuition dollars.