November 18, 2016
Delaware News
Cape Gazette
Final design, colors for new H.O. Brittingham approved
The Cape Henlopen school board has unanimously approved the final design and colors for a new H.O. Brittingham Elementary. TetraTech architect Laurie Grimmelsman said during the board’s Oct. 27 meeting that the colors are reminiscent of Milton’s shipbuilding history. “It’s a nod to that, but still playful,” she said. The design is a replica of Love Creek Elementary, the district’s new elementary on Route 24, across from Beacon Middle School.
Delaware Public Media
Delaware Dept. of Ed. focuses on low performing schools in ESSA rollout
The focus of an education work group Wednesday night was centered on funding for the lowest performing First State schools under a new federal law – the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA. Unlike the No Child Left Behind law that it’s replacing, the Every Student Succeeds Act allows for more flexibility in how states distribute funds, and other measures.
Delaware State News
Education Department seeks big spending hike
Delaware’s Department of Education is requesting an increase of more than $100 million for its operating budget next year, an increase of 7.7 percent. Education Secretary Steven Godowsky laid out the request to budget officials Wednesday in the department’s annual hearing as the Markell administration prepares a budget proposal for the eighth and final time.
Newsworks
Delaware auditor finds problems with Indian River School District spending
The results of the auditor’s report doesn’t come as a surprise after Indian River CFO Patrick Miller was put on administrative leave earlier this year. State Auditor Tom Wagner, R-Delaware, received reports of alleged financial misconduct by Miller in January. That caused his office to open an investigation. Miller, who has been with the district since 1998, was placed on administrative leave in April, and officially retired at the end of June.
Sussex Countian
Two IRSD schools receive ExxonMobil grants
Selbyville Middle School and Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, in the Indian River School District, each received $500 grants from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance recently. The funds will be used to purchase classroom supplies for math and science. The grants were sponsored by Cato Gas & Oil and local Goose Creek Food Stores.
The Dover Post
Department of Education to host second round of community conversations
The Delaware Department of Education will host a second round of community conversations to collect public input on the first draft of the state’s plan under the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act. In December 2015, Congress reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the main federal law governing public education. ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Milford Beacon
CR readying Chinese immersion’s next level
Caesar Rodney School District is planning for its Chinese Immersion Program to move into middle school. It’s been four years since the first group of kindergarten students enrolled in a course where students learn a foreign language by speaking solely in the chosen tongue. Supervisor of Instruction Darren Guido, who oversees the program, said there’s much to be done before the scholars move into middle school in 2018.
National News
Chalkbeat
How a Nashville charter group is changing to keep its teachers for the long haul
Two years ago, Courtney Lewis backed out of the application process at Nashville Prep so she could work from home to balance job and family life. This year, she joined the charter school as a fifth-grade teacher. Her change of heart timed with a change in policies adopted this year by RePublic, the Nashville-based charter network overseeing Nashville Prep.
EdSource
Putting students in charge of their learning transforms a small rural district
The walls tell the story at Lindsay Unified. In every classroom – from kindergarten through 12th grade – each student’s name is on a list on the wall that shows what students have learned and what they need to do next for every topic they are studying. After checking the list each day, students get to work, with no need for prompting from their teachers.
Education Week
Few women run the nation’s school districts. Why?
Nearly a decade after she was hired as the first woman to run the Council Bluffs, Iowa, school district, Mary Martha Bruckner is often one of the only women in the room. That was the case last month when about two dozen superintendents and finance officers from Iowa’s urban school systems met to set their legislative agenda for the coming year. Surveying the room, Bruckner spotted two other women.
Post Crescent
$6 million sought for school mental health
Wisconsin’s top educator Tuesday requested nearly $6 million to expand mental health services for students, including hiring more social workers, establishing clinics in schools and training school staff. State Superintendent Tony Evers’ request will be considered as part of the state’s 2017-19 budget. Gov. Scott Walker is preparing a proposal that will be sent to the legislature early next year.