In an unprecedented study of Delaware’s public education budget, the Governor-appointed LEAD Committee identified $86 million-$158 million that could be reallocated each year to directly impact student achievement.

The Governor called for the study to identify funds that could be used more efficiently to support the goal of Vision 2015 for world-class schools in Delaware.

Vision 2015 asks that funds be redirected this year to several high priority needs: childhood education, more math and science teachers for high-need schools, and the expansion of the Vision Network of schools and districts, which already has a waiting list.

Read the LEAD Committee report.

View press coverage: "Study seeks savings to pay for Vision 2015 reforms", Alison Kepner, The News Journal, January 23, 2008.

"Places where schools can save money make room for innovations", Editorial, The News Journal, January 23, 2008.

Visionaries

“We will also continue to support the efforts of Vision 2015, an organization of business leaders, educators, and state officials who are committed to a plan to make our schools the best in the world….”

--Governor Ruth Ann Minner in her State of the State Address, January 17, 2008

“We must ask ourselves whether each dollar we spend today is the best investment we can make in our future. If we are to provide a world-class education to every student, we must invest the state’s limited resources in those efforts that will deliver the greatest results for our students.”

-- LEAD Committee Chair Marvin N. “Skip” Schoenhals, Chairman of WSFS Bank, and Vice Chair Valerie A. Woodruff, Secretary of Education

Senator Sokola calls for focus on education in upcoming elections

Candidates for president and governor have failed to address the critical connection between education and the economy, believes Delaware's Senate Education Chair David Sokola. In a recent opinion piece in The News Journal, Sokola urges readers to press local and national candidates on their education platforms and to visit websites like www.vision2015delaware.org and www.Edin08.com.

Read Senator Sokola’s opinion.

Governor Recommends $2.8 Million in Support of Vision 2015

Vision 2015 expresses its appreciation to Governor Ruth Ann Minner for recommending $2.8 million in the FY2009 budget for initiatives in support of Vision 2015. This includes funding to help support the continuation of the Vision Network, for the Delaware Virtual School, and for enhanced quality early childcare and education. A significantly broader commitment is still required in order to achieve our vision of world-class schools in Delaware. In light of the tight fiscal climate of our state, the recommendations in the recent LEAD cost efficiency report are especially timely. We look forward to working with the Governor, Office of Management and Budget, and General Assembly to ensure that the education budget is spent smarter this coming fiscal year, with significant funding redirected to our schools and classrooms.

…Delaware could save $1M-$2M by purchasing education supplies and services more efficiently. That’s enough to recruit about 100 new teachers to our highest-need subject areas like math and science.

…Delaware could save $4.1M by keeping school buses in service just three years longer -- without risking safety. That's enough to send 600 additional three- and four-year old children to state-funded preschool each year.

…Through efficiencies in energy management and administration, Delaware could secure the funds needed to expand the Vision Network to more districts and charter schools, and serve up to 21,000 students throughout the state. 

Your Vision Your Voice

What does a world-class school look like? How will Delaware schools need to change in order to prepare all students to be ready for college, work, and life in a global society?

Those are questions the Rodel Foundation of Delaware is asking of the state’s 8th-12th grade public school students in a new contest called Your Vision Your Voice. The essay/video contest, which runs until March 30, challenges teens to craft a creative, thought-provoking response for the chance to win scholarship money. Learn more.

Contact

To get the latest information on how to become involved with Vision 2015, please visit our web site: www.vision2015delaware.org or e-mail us at info@vision2015delaware.org.