September 11, 2015
Delaware News
The News Journal
Teaching 9/11 to a new generation of Delaware students
In Kim Thompson’s fifth-grade class at Cedar Lane Elementary School near Middletown on Thursday, students interviewed adults about their memories of the attacks. They had three questions to ask: Where were you? How did you feel? What did you do?
Wilmington legend Jim Gilliam dies
Delaware’s political leaders and friends of James H. Gilliam Sr. echoed similar sentiments hours after he died early Thursday at age 95, paying tribute to a decorated soldier, voice for peace and racial equality in Wilmington, and someone who lavished them with tough love.
WDEL
DE education improvement plan praised by Feds
Delaware is one of 16 states whose plans to improve education were approved by the Feds Thursday. US Education Secretary Arne Duncan singled out the First State during a conference call.
WDDE
More bulletproof whiteboards donated to Colonial School District
Delmarva Power donated 17 Bulletproof White Boards to Pleasantville Elementary School in the Colonial School District Thursday. They look like portable dry erase boards- but can also act as a shield against a gunman. “They’re handheld. So they can write on them with dry-erase markers during instruction time. And some of them do use them for that reason,” says Lauren Wilson, a spokesperson for the District.
Delaware Department of Education
State educator equity plan earns federal approval, praise
A press release
Delaware’s plan to improve equitable access to excellent educators for every child received approval from the U.S. Department of Education. The First State’s plan was shaped by six months of public engagement and input from more than 200 parents, educators and other community members. Delaware’s stakeholders collectively developed seven strategies for greater focus over the next decade: improving school leadership and retaining the best leaders; strengthening educator preparation programs; enhancing educator recruitment and selection; improving induction and mentoring programs; enhancing professional learning; rethinking compensation and career pathways; and considering school climate and working conditions (through the ongoing administration of the TELL Delaware survey).
National News
Washington Post
In Mass., a push to let voters weigh in on the Common Core State Standards
Critics of the Common Core State Standards in Massachusetts are trying to get the increasingly controversial academic benchmarks on the 2016 state ballot, the first time voters would decide whether to keep the K-12 math and reading standards.
Hechinger Report
Think you know a lot about Common Core? A new poll finds you’re probably wrong
A survey found that the 10 percent of voters who say they know “a lot” about the Common Core were the most likely to get true or false questions about the standards wrong.
Denver Post
CO changes graduation requirements
The Colorado State Board of Education approved a new menu of options for how districts can require students to earn a high school diploma, changing requirements approved two years ago.
Reno Gazette-Journal
Another lawsuit threatens NV program
Nevada’s private school payment program faces yet another lawsuit threatening its destruction before parents see a cent.
The Atlantic
A closer look at the numbers
While the country’s teaching force is certainly dealing with a staffing problem, a closer look at the numbers shows that shortages are centered in particular subject areas and geographic areas. In fact, there may be too many certified teachers in some fields, such as early-childhood education.