Network Leaders Celebrate Vision 2015’s Success

More than one hundred Vision Network participants and supporters came together in Dover on May 21 to celebrate the achievements of Vision 2015 since the plan was launched in October 2006. 

Superintendents, principals, teachers, business leaders, Vision 2015 work group and steering committee members, representatives from the Delaware Academy for School Leadership and Focus on Results, and other guests recognized those districts and schools that joined the Network earlier this month.

Speakers at the event included Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff; Vision Network liaison Rob Rescigno; Vision 2015 Chairman Skip Schoenhals; two Vision Network principals, Elaine Elston of MOT Charter School and Evelyn Edney of Howard High School in the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District; and Tammy Augustus, reading cadre, Capital School District.

View photos from the event.

Appoquinimink’s New High School Officially Unveiled

Thousands of area residents gathered on May 17 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Appoquinimink High School, which will open its doors to 1,600 students in fall 2008.

During his remarks, Superintendent Tony Marchio (pictured above), a member of Vision 2015’s Steering Committee, acknowledged that the enormous investments of time, energy and resources made by planners, educators, and taxpayers will yield benefits for generations to come. His remarks included “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole.

Vision 2015 representatives were among the numerous exhibitors that participated in the education fair that followed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. More than 3,000 citizens toured the new high school and took part in children’s activities that showcased physical and natural sciences, mathematics, English language arts, technology, animal science, and the arts.

“Appoquinimink opens new high school,” The News Journal, May 17, 2008

Vision Network Leaders Continue Professional Training

Beginning in June, the second cohort of Vision Network districts and schools – those that joined the Network in 2008 – will begin working with the Delaware Academy for School Leadership on instructional leadership, workplace culture, time management, and strategic planning.

The first cohort of Vision Network schools, which joined in 2007, will continue to receive training from Focus on Results during the 2008-2009 school year. The teams will concentrate on their respective instructional focus areas, evidence-based teaching practices, and a related internal accountability system.

Recent Vision Network coverage:
"Christina joining Vision Network," The Newark Post, May 22, 2008
"LF middle, high schools join Vision 2015," The Dover Post, May 21, 2008

Did You Know?

Nine Delaware public schools made Newsweek’s list of the top schools in the country for the second consecutive year. Schools recognized include Charter School of Wilmington; A.I. du Pont High School; Mount Pleasant High School; Cab Calloway School of the Arts; Brandywine High School; Dover High School; Newark High School (now part of the Vision Network); Cape Henlopen High School; and Concord High School.

“Nine Del. high schools listed among best,” The News Journal, May 21, 2008

VISION-aries

“We encourage our lawmakers to… take every opportunity to look for cost savings above and beyond the $30 million cuts that they can reinvest in Delaware students. It's everyone's job to make sure that keeping our state financially healthy doesn't come at the cost of our children's future.”

-- H. Raye Jones Avery, Executive Director, Christina Cultural Arts Center; William H. Willis, President, Willis Chevrolet
“How about a smarter idea for Del. budget?” The News Journal, May 28, 2008

Research

“A Mission of the Heart: Leaders in High-Needs Districts Talk about What It Takes to Transform a School,” a study prepared by Public Agenda for The Wallace Foundation, presents insight on the best ways to recruit and sustain top leaders in high-needs schools. The report features focus groups with principals in high-needs districts and interviews with superintendents and other education leaders.

The study concludes:

• Good instructional management is “absolutely essential” to being a good leader;
• Engaging the staff and community and working with them to carry out a plan for change are the most effective ways to transform a school; 
• Reviewing and drawing insights from data on student performance helps school leaders to set goals, analyze problems, and allocate resources where they can do the most good.

Vision Network schools are working to improve these areas of focus through their training with the Delaware Academy for School Leadership and Focus on Results.

Delaware Stars Shows Promising Results

Through their participation in Delaware Stars for Early Success—the state quality rating and improvement system—early child care and education providers receive hands-on technical assistance and financial support to improve the qualifications of their staff and the quality of facilities, curriculum, and other program components. Many of the participating providers have already increased their quality rating by at least one "star level." 

Delaware Stars for Early Success is funded by a combination of public and private funds, including the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee.

Delaware Stars addresses several Vision 2015 recommendations, including:

• Increased participation in Stars and the provision of state subsidies based on quality ratings over time;
• Professional development support of early education staff.

“Making preschoolers stars,” The News Journal, May 28, 2008

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.