December 16, 2016
Delaware News
Cape Gazette
Beacon student wins at state level for Peace Poster Contest
The Rehoboth Beach Lions Club sponsored the Peace Poster Contest under the auspices of the Lions Clubs International. This is a contest that is held all over the world for 11- to 13-year-old art students. The Beacon Middle School students always turn out good artwork. This year was exceptional. Of five entrants, the winner was Alyson Fleming. She not only won the Rehoboth Beach Lions Club contest, but her artwork was sent on to District 22, which includes the entire state.
Delaware 105.9
Free books available for students and families in need this weekend
Students and teachers have an opportunity to load up on books free of charge this weekend through a State of Delaware Partnership with First Book, a non-profit enterprise that works to make reading materials available for children from low-income families. “Books are central to the development of reading skills, and reading skills are central to the development of a successful life,” First Book President and CEO Kyle Zimmer said.
Cape Henlopen school officials approve adding reproductive health care services to high school Wellness Center programs
Should reproductive health services be made available at the Wellness Center at Cape Henlopen High School? The Board of Education Thursday night approved adding such services to Cape High’s Wellness Center; the vote was 6 to 1 in favor. Board President Andy Lewis was the lone NO vote. “There’s a broad spectrum of things. It’s not just condoms.
Delaware Public Media
Teachers’ union recommendations seek more DOE support to schools
The Delaware State Education Association is offering the state Department of Education its recommendations for rollout of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The recommendations call for student proficiency and growth measures to account for factors like poverty, trauma, special needs status, homelessness and foster care status. Additionally, the state’s largest teachers union is advocating the Department of Education to take more of an active role in helping schools identify the root causes of student failure.
Delaware State News
Senator delivers big surprise to Smyrna student: Army sponsorship
For 16-year-old Meghan Yerkes, Christmas started a little early this year. Meghan, a senior at Smyrna High School, was surprised by Sen. Chris Coons Thursday, who informed her that she is his principal nominee for the U.S. Military Academy. Every year, the members of Delaware’s congressional delegation nominate a handful of individuals for each service academy.
Newark Post
Newark teen named a winner in the Congressional App Challenge
A Newark teen has turned his love for geography into an award-winning smartphone app concept. Rohan Kanchana, an eighth-grader at Newark Charter School, was recently named Delaware’s winner in the Congressional App Challenge, which is sponsored by the Congressional Internet Caucus and the Internet Education Foundation and encourages kids around the country to learn coding.
Rodel Blog
Meet Janai Garrett
My name is Janai Garrett and I am an undergraduate student at Wilmington University studying communications with a track in media. Prior to being a fellow at the Rodel Foundation, I gained valuable experience in journalism by writing for a variety of websites ranging from sports to entertainment. I have also familiarized myself with different design and video-editing tools such Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Photoshop and InDesign.
Sussex County Post
Carver Academy: ‘Positive Action’ a year-long work of art
Positive thinking and action is a year-long work of art at Indian River School District’s G.W. Carver Academy. Carver Academy students, families, staff and community members joined local artist John Donato in the colorful Dec. 12 kickoff for the alternative school’s community mural/art project. Mr. Donato, from Ocean View, has already collaborated with several schools in the Indian River School District to encourage, teach and support social skills, character development and citizenship through his integrated approach.
University of Delaware
CPC partnering to live-stream Delaware Electoral College vote
Approximately 70 Delaware elementary, middle, and high students will gather at the Legislative Hall in Dover to witness the First State’s three Electoral College members cast their votes for Democrat Hillary Clinton on Monday, December 19, at 11:30 am. WHYY in cooperation with the state of Delaware will live-stream the proceedings at www.whyy.org/specialcoverage.php.
National News
Chalkbeat
Here’s where Tennessee’s best teachers are trained, according to new state report card
Nearly all of Tennessee’s top-performing teacher training programs are in the Memphis and Nashville areas, and about half aren’t based at a university, according to a new state report. Using a new grading system, the State Board of Education issued its 2016 report card Thursday on Tennessee’s 40 preparation programs.
Education Week
In some states, a tug of war over ESSA plans
Now that states are moving to take on new authority over K-12 policy under the Every Student Succeeds Act, skirmishes are breaking out in several states over who’s in charge. Legislators in Colorado and elsewhere have bickered with state board members over who should oversee parts of the plans they must submit to the U.S. Department of Education next year outlining how they will put ESSA into effect, pointing to nebulous clauses buried in their states’ constitutions on who calls the shots.
Michigan Radio
How DeVos family donations have influenced Michigan education
When Donald Trump announced West Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos as his pick for Secretary of Education, reaction was mixed. Many wondered aloud how someone who has advocated for major changes in education, but who has never taught, would be qualified for the post. Recent secretaries have included a former Governor, the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, a former college dean and school superintendent and others with doctorates in education.
The Hechinger Report
What should new teachers know before they set foot in a classroom?
Elly Eckhoff listened intently as a group of veteran teachers listed what they think rookie teachers need before entering the classroom: more time student teaching and more training in how to communicate with colleagues, parents and students themselves. And then she spoke. “They need to know about mental illness, poverty training and assistance,” she said.
WJLA
DC public school requires AP class for seniors
At Cardozo Education Campus in Northwest, 12th Grade English literature class is more rigorous than ever. Mykelle Henry, a 17-year-old senior at the school, told ABC7 News, “It gives everyone a well-needed challenge.” For the first time, Cardozo is requiring seniors to take Advanced Placement English literature. Esperant Kazzembe, 19, has noticed a positive change in his reading comprehension and writing.