New Year, New Decade,

New Opportunities for Education

Scholastic recently published its take on the "Decade's Ten Big Ideas in Education” – initiatives over the last ten years that have spurred innovation and led to great changes in the national education landscape.

Among them is “ARRA,” the federal government’s recovery act that is investing $100 billion in the nation’s public schools.  Notably, the Obama administration’s aspirations for public education mirror the recommendations presented in 2006 through Vision 2015.  We are delighted and excited about the changes that the new decade can bring to Delaware's public schools!

Delaware:  A State to Watch

The federal Race to the Top fund—part of ARRA—will provide a total of $4.35 billion to states truly committed to education reform. The fund will support initiatives that create more great teachers and school leaders, dramatically improve our lowest-performing schools, and ensure rigorous standards and quality data to track academic progress. This is an unprecedented opportunity to earn the funds needed to make critical changes.  The USDOE has proposed funding guidelines for states – including $75 million for Delaware.  Yet many states are preparing to ask instead for what they need. Tennessee, for example, will ask for $500M – double what the USDOE guidelines proposed. 

Delaware has been considered a strong competitor. National onlookers see Vision 2015 and the strength of our coalition as a huge asset to our state.  Yet, we know the playing field will be tough; both California and Michigan have passed wide-ranging legislative packages that each hopes will make them more competitive and bring necessary reform to the state.  Last month the Markell Administration released "Delaware's Plan to Strengthen Our Schools," which will be the foundation for our state's Race to the Top application. Despite the competition, we are excited to see such an ambitious plan from our state leaders. Race to the Top applications are due January 19, 2010, and 1^st round winners will be announced in April. Stay tuned!

Delaware Families Get Involved

Vision 2015 applauds all families who are involved in their child's education – from reading books together to working on homework to volunteering at schools. Dragon Dads, a program at Mount Pleasant Elementary School recently made headlines for the opportunities it creates for fathers to become even more engaged in their child’s education. And parents and educators from throughout the First State came together last month to discuss the role of families in ensuring an excellent education for all.

If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, here are several outstanding resources:

·         Learning Link of Delaware

·         Parent Information Center of Delaware

·         PTA Guide on State Laws on Family Engagement

·         Education Week Spotlight on Parent Involvement

Contact us! 

For more 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.

Legislators, Start Your Engines!

The 145^th Delaware General Assembly officially returns to session next Tuesday, January 12. Learn about the House and Senate Education Committee members. 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. Welcome back!

Learn more about the General Assembly and its Committees, and view schedules for the upcoming legislative session. Also check out U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's recent speech to state legislators at the National Conference of State Legislatures' Fall Forum.

Did You Know? 

Delaware Governor Jack Markell is co-chairing, along with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, the Common Core Standards Initiative, which will develop a common set of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12.  Endorsed by 48 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia, the collaboration can help Delaware save money, more easily benchmark our progress to other states’, and put into place rigorous standards that compete with the world's highest. The draft standards are expected to be released early this year; we'll provide more information in future newsletters as it becomes available.

 VISION-aries

"We need to, and can, meet this challenge and ensure that Delaware's children have the chance to be tomorrow's leaders if we have a plan, if we have the opportunity and if we have the will."

-- Delaware Education Secretary Lillian Lowery, "State has solid plan to educate tomorrow's leaders," The News Journal, December 24, 2009.

 Mark Your Calendars!

First Annual "Path to Success" Video Promotion

Now through January 16, Delaware public high school and middle school students can enter a DOE-sponsored video contest about their dreams and how they are making them happen. Learn more.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration

The Annual Day of Celebration, commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held on Monday, January 18, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will take place at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. It is FREE and open to the public. Learn more.

Early Childhood Poverty, Health and Education Public Forum

Sponsored by the Coastal-Georgetown AAUW, this event will be held on January 21 at 9:30 at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach and will feature Representative Terry Schooley. Learn more.

To find more events or to add your community event to our webpage—visit the Vision 2015 community events page.