By paulh on
2/5/2010 2:20 PM
Dear Friends,
Turning around low performing schools is finally getting some traction, but this is going to be a steep learning curve. As one of my board members said last week, “Those buildings have been burning for years, but no one’s been yelling, ‘Fire.’” The question is, “Do we know how to put it out?” Sure, we know we need wholesale versus piecemeal change, but how we manage this challenge at a state level with quality is going to be a big lift.
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By Michael on
2/1/2010 10:00 AM
The Obama administration has fired its first shot at the reauthorization of NCLB. Not lots of details available yet, but we can expect to see conversation about AYP targets, end goals, and Title I funding. Chances are this effort will build off a lot of the same reforms we have seen in the Race to the Top, School Improvement, and State Fiscal Stabilization Fund grants. We will be watching this closely to ensure we get the flexibility and accountability we need to help build world class schools in Delaware.
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By sgrunewald on
1/28/2010 11:24 AM
In last night’s State of the Union address, President Obama focused on one of his top priorities -- the creation of jobs for the American people. He also made it clear that in order to be competitive, attract new industries, and spur great innovations in America, “we need to invest in the skills and education of our people.” Education reform is a huge focus for the Obama Administration, and he used the SOTU to outline his goals: “instead of rewarding failure, we only reward success. Instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform.” He continued, “In the 21st century, one of the best anti-poverty programs is a world-class education.”
Sound familiar?
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By sgrunewald on
1/20/2010 3:59 PM
Just a day before the state's $107 million Race to the Top application was submitted, Governor Markell spoke to groups around Delaware that were celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He spoke of the collaborative efforts that are necessary to strengthen our public schools, calling education one of the moral imperatives of our time. His words were strong, sincere, and compelling; read his remarks here.
I'm looking forward to the State of the State tomorrow, and anticipate more bold, resolute words from our Governor about the need to ensure every child in our state has access to an excellent education.
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By paulh on
1/15/2010 10:43 AM
As a nation, we are all standing at a crossroads when it comes to our schools. President Obama has challenged every state to raise the bar and to define new paths to world-class schools. As the head of a foundation that is committed to improving Delaware’s schools and our nation’s standing internationally, I want to share a brief update on where I think Delaware sits in this national landscape.
This week, I believe Delaware just quietly stepped into the top tier of education reform states. With the unanimous passage of some of the nation’s most far-reaching regulations on managing teacher and principal performance as well as enabling local communities to turn around their lowest performing schools, two more critical building blocks in the Governor’s comprehensive education plan have been laid.
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By sarahg on
1/12/2010 2:51 PM
The National Journal recently put out the call to education experts around the country, “What should the education priorities be for 2010?” There are lots of interesting ideas here, the reauthorization of ESEA, new school models, refining standards and assessment, keeping up reforms, etc. While Delaware’s focus may already be on another tight budget year, there are also opportunities to make education in the First State better in 2010 then ever before. With the legislative session opening in Dover today, what are the big education policies you would like to see tackled this year?
On our list: Finding a solution to fix low performing schools, moving towards an educator career path that rewards effectiveness, and funding flexibility for schools and districts to make the right decisions for kids.
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By Michael on
12/23/2009 12:07 PM
The US Senate is sitting on a huge opportunity for Early Childhood Education, and it looks like it may be ready to move shortly (once they figure out this health care thing). The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, if passed, may create a $10 Billion Early Learning Challenge Grant fund to help states significantly advance their work for our neediest young children.
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By Michael on
11/19/2009 12:57 PM
Ask Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia. Mastery has been turning around schools in Philly since 2005 – they’ve taken some of the worst city schools and changed the leadership and the culture, and – working with the same kids as before the turn-around—made huge gains in proficiency on the state student assessment. The largest gain so far has been a 544% increase in the number of students meeting proficiency in 7th grade math since 2006 at their Shoemaker Campus. Here is a quick look at how all of their schools are doing. Their motto says it all- “Excellence. No Excuses.”
Imagine if the 16,000 kids in Delaware’s lowest performing schools had access to this kind of program. The benefits for our state would be colossal!
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By sgrunewald on
11/9/2009 2:37 PM
This morning, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Center for American Progress, and Frederick M. Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, issued Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Innovation.
Delaware got:
- two Bs (staff hiring and evaluation, data)
- two Cs (School management and finance)
- three Ds
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By Michael on
10/30/2009 10:59 AM
Earlier this week Rodel co-sponsored “Vision 2015 and Delaware’s Race to the Top”. This sold out event brought together over 500 education leaders from around the state, and around the nation, to talk about two critical issues, improving the quality of our teachers and turning around our lowest performing schools. Speakers included national experts on these subjects as well and Delaware Governor Jack Markell, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Find all the conference resources and speeches here.
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