November 16, 2016
Delaware News
Cape Gazette
Rehoboth students learn about life in the lake
Fifth-grade students at Rehoboth Elementary School became junior scientists for a day as they explored aquatic life at Silver Lake. Students from Jacqueline Kisel and Cody Smith’s science classes examined the biodiversity of Silver Lake Oct. 26 as part of a workshop hosted by Envirotech Inc. and Save Our Lakes Alliance3. This is the eighth year in a row SOLA3 and Envirotech have offered the workshop.
Delaware 105.9
Southern Delaware School of the Arts host Technology Night for parents tonight
a variety of technological programs are used in education. So much so that it might come as a surprise to many parents and grandparents. Southern Delaware School of the Arts in Selbyville will host a Technology Night tonight (Wednesday), from 6 to 7 p.m. Parents of students in grades 3 through 8 are invited to learn and become familiar with the many programs that students use in the classroom.
IRSD series of public referendum meetings continues tonight in Georgetown
Another meeting tonight (Wednesday) hosted by the Indian River School District to highlight the current expense referendum scheduled for Tuesday, November 22. At each meeting, district officials have been giving a presentation outlining the referendum initiative. The referendum will seek additional local funding for school security programs, technology, textbooks, student organizations and measures related to enrollment growth.
Department of Education
Two additional sessions to collect ESSA feedback from Spanish-speaking community members
The Delaware Department of Education will host two sessions for Spanish-speaking community members to collect their feedback on the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan. Five English sessions, which begin tonight, also are being offered across the state. Find more details on those below. This is the second round of community conversations as the state develops its ESSA plan.
The News Journal
Hot class: High schoolers, others chose culinary arts
Here’s food for thought: William Penn High culinary arts students could fill a buffet with their different motivations. “I love making food,” said junior Damien Cook (yes, that’s his real name). “I want to own a restaurant and a farm and educate people about where their food comes from. Junior Javier Aviles cited his father’s restaurant career. Junior Afney Ward likes exploring science through food. Senior Jesus Garcia has grown to enjoy interaction with customers.
Schools must support students after elections
Elizabeth C. Speers, head of school at Tower Hill School
At times like this in our country, it is a privilege to be a teacher, an educator and school leader. Our children are indeed the hope for our future; their minds and souls are inquisitive, curious and loving. Our role as educators is to help them remain this way, as there is too much hate and divisiveness in our country right now. We are called to ensure that our children are prepared to do better and that they feel safe and hopeful amidst a country that needs to commit to deeper understanding, compassion and healing.
Three priorities to improve Delaware’s K-12 public education
Rod Ward, president and CEO of Corporation Service Company
Delaware’s K-12 public education is improving. We have stronger schools and better-prepared students, high school graduation rates increased to 84 percent in 2014, faster than any other state, and more high school students are working toward certification or college credits in their chosen field. But there’s still a lot of work to do so that Delaware’s students are fully prepared for the future.
National News
89.3 KPCC
School district deploys administrators to calm students’ nerves
One hour south, in Santa Ana, school officials tried to head off any protests by sending every administrator from the central office to the district’s 62 schools. The move was designed “to be out at school sites, to be interacting with students and staff, to alleviate anxiety,” said Santa Ana Unified Superintendent Stefanie Phillips.
Education Week
ESSA would handcuff a Trump education secretary on common core and more
President-elect Donald Trump’s education secretary—whoever it is—won’t be able to follow through on one of his campaign’s signature education promises: getting rid of the Common Core education standards, which he’s called “a total disaster.” Why? The law specifically bars the education secretary, any education secretary, from monkeying around with states’ standards.
KATU 2
Measure 99 passes, dedicates funding for Oregon outdoor school
Oregon voters approved Measure 99, the ballot measure that takes a portion of the state’s lottery money to create the Outdoor School Education Fund. The program will help preserve the nearly half-century old tradition of sending fifth and sixth-grade students to camps across the state to learn about Oregon’s natural wonders. Oregon is now the only state to have dedicated funding for outdoor education, according to the North American Association for Environmental Education.
NPR
Hey students, applying for college aid is easier! (but still hard)
When the Obama administration announced last year that it would overhaul the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, prospective college students (and their parents) cheered. “Today, we’re lending a hand to millions of high school students who want to go to college and who’ve worked hard,” said Arne Duncan, who was at that time U.S. Secretary of Education.
Twin Cities Pioneer Press
How to train 1,000 dual-enrollment teachers? Minnesota State has a plan
Stakeholders are finalizing a plan for getting more than 1,000 teachers the graduate credits necessary to continue leading college-level courses for Minnesota high school students in 2022 and beyond. The Higher Learning Commission, which accredits colleges and universities in Minnesota and 18 other states, is giving concurrent-enrollment teachers until 2022 to get either a master’s degree in the discipline they teach or 18 graduate credit hours in addition to a master’s degree.