Delaware's Education System Rates a C+

Delaware’s public schools are doing very well in some areas but there’s plenty of room for improvement, according to the 13th edition of Quality Counts, Education Week’s annual state-by-state report card on education policies and results.

Released January 8, the 2009 report ranked states on key measures in six categories: Chance for Success; Standards, Assessments and Accountability; K-12 Alignment; Transitions & Achievement; School Finance; and The Teaching Profession. Overall, Delaware’s system ranked 18th among the 50 states — above the U.S. average but below most of its neighbors, including Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, all of which rank in the top 10 nationally.

According to the report:

• Delaware scores best in the category of Standards, Assessment, and Accountability, with a B+.
• The percentage of Delaware’s 3- and 4-year olds enrolled in preschool rose from 43.4% in 2007 to 45.6% in 2008. Despite the progress, the state’s early childhood education program earned just a C- overall.
• Delaware needs the most improvement in preparing its students for the next level of their education, earning a D+ in college readiness.

Vision Network is Working in Our Schools

Vision Network training is helping teachers and principals at Network schools rethink their practice and focus their time and resources where students will benefit most.

• Howard High School’s focus on literacy and advanced thinking skills is giving students a leg up in their careers.
• Kuumba Academy educators are building a culture of math across the curriculum and throughout the school day.
• MOT Charter School’s leaders are advancing student achievement—and enriching their jobs—by delegating some managerial tasks to free up more time for instruction.
• Sussex Central High School’s new Freshman Academy offers a smoother transition for incoming students—and increases their chances for long-term success.

Read more about how these schools are putting new practices to work.

Vision 2015 Chairman Wins Josiah Marvel Cup Award

Skip Schoenhals, Vision 2015 chairman and chairman of WSFS Financial Corp, was recognized on January 12 with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce's Josiah Marvel Cup Award for his outstanding commitment to the State of Delaware. The award was presented to Schoenhals before an audience of more than 900 distinguished business, community, and political leaders.

“As chairman of Vision 2015, a state education reform effort, Schoenhals brings unity and direction,” said Michael Uffner, president and CEO of AutoTeam Delaware and a member of the Marvel Cup Selection Committee.

“Chamber honors WSFS' Schoenhals,” The News Journal, January 13, 2009.

VISION-aries

“Delaware can and should lead the way for the country. We’re small enough to make things happen. The Vision 2015 committee has recommended several policies and programs culled from the best practices of education systems around the world. It’s now incumbent upon the state to find the will and, even in these tough economic times, the funds to achieve these goals.”

--Delaware Today publisher Robert L. Martinelli in “Principal for a Day,” January 2009.

“Our students … see in Barack Obama the embodiment of the opportunities and change they aspire to in their own lives. We believe that this new administration can shift the priorities and practices in our public schools so that the next generation of young people will build a better tomorrow for themselves and for us all."

-- Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, co-founders of KIPP, in The News Journal opinion, “5 real reforms in education for Obama," January 13, 2009. 

Education Comittee Members Announced 

Vision 2015 congratulates the House and Senate Education Committee members for the 145th session.

House Education Committee members include:

• Teresa Schooley, Chair (District 23 – Newark)
• Darryl M. Scott, Vice Chair (District 31 – Dover)
• Michael A. Barbieri (District 18 – Newark)
• Earl Jaques (District 27 – Caravel Farms)
• S. Quinton Johnson (District – Middletown)
• John A. Kowalko (District 25 – Newark South)
• Michael P. Mulrooney (District 17 – Pennwood)
• Robert E. Walls (District 33 – Milford)
• Donald A. Blakey (District 34 – Dover South)
• Joseph W. Booth (District 37 – Georgetown)
• Thomas H. Kovach (District 6 – Fox Point)
• Nick T. Manolakos (District 20 – Limestone Hills)
• Joseph E. Miro (District 22 – Pike Creek Valley)
• William A. Oberle (District 24 – Beechers Lot)

Senate Education Committee members include:

• David P. Sokola, Chair (District 8 – Newark)
• George H. Bunting (District 20 – Bethany Beach)
• Catherine L. Cloutier (District 5 – Heatherbrooke)
• Bethany A. Hall-Long (District 10 – Glasgow)
• Margaret Rose Henry (District 2 – Wilmington East)
• Michael S. Katz (District 4 – Centerville)
• Liane M. Sorenson (District 6 – Hockessin)

In the coming year, we look forward to working with these and other elected officials to accelerate the positive momentum underway in Delaware’s schools.

Learn more about members of the General Assembly, Committees, and view schedules for the upcoming legislative session.

Mark Your Calendar!

Breaking barriers, building our community

The Martin Luther King 2009 Day of Celebration – One Dream, One World, One Community -- will take place at the Chase Center on the Riverfront January 19, 2009. Christopher Gardner, portrayed in the movie, “Pursuit of Happyness,” will deliver the keynote address. The event will include activities for all ages, live performances, art/essay contest awards, and community exhibitors, including Vision 2015. Learn more. 

No Child… depicts educational issues being addressed in Delaware

The Delaware Theatre Company presents the centerpiece of its 30th season with Nilaja Sun’s No Child… from January 14 through February 1, 2009. The critically-acclaimed play presents a rich, humorous and inspiring encounter with a group of students too often written off as low-achievers and the adults who influence them. The Rodel Foundation has provided free tickets to selected performances to 200 Delaware public school teachers, and will facilitate a pre-show behind-the-scenes discussion of how the play’s themes are being addressed in Delaware today.

Bank of America seeking student leaders committed to improving their communities

Do you know a high school junior or senior with a passion for community service? Bank of America is looking for the next generation of community leaders to apply for its Student Leader program. Selected students will participate in an 8-week paid internship at a nonprofit organization and attend a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Learn more. Deadline is February 20, 2009.

Contact Us

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