Marshall Elementary Teacher Karen Fredricks at The White House with fellow Delawareans Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden.

The First State is in the National Spotlight

Comedian Stephen Colbert asked, “Dela-why?” Here’s why...

One of Six...

On February 2, Mass Insight Education and Research Institute announced a three-year, $75 million public-private partnership with just six states - including Delaware - to create scalable and sustainable strategies for turning around clusters of the lowest-performing schools. Delaware’s education plan and our Race to the Top proposal commit to forming Partnership Zones, based on Mass Insight’s pioneering work. 

In underscoring her commitment to support low-performing schools, Delaware Education Secretary Lillian Lowery stated, "We're going to have to act in the best interest of the children, period."

Through the Partnership Zone, the lowest-performing schools will engage in fundamental reform and receive new resources to support better operating and working conditions for district teachers and schools. This approach to "turn-arounds" has the support of the Delaware teachers union, community and business leaders, and elected officials, and also has garnered national attention. Read more from The News Journal and Education Week.

10 for 10

Delaware is one of eleven states to meet all ten of the Data Quality Campaign criteria. The Data Quality Campaign distributes an annual survey to all 50 states to assess state progress toward the 10 Essential Elements of a longitudinal data system.

Three DE Educators Honored at The White House

In January three Delaware educators were honored by President Obama at the White House. Karen Fredricks, fourth grade teacher at Christina School District's Marshall Elementary, and Jo Anne Deshon, first grade teacher at Christina's Downes Elementary, received the presidential teaching award. Patricia A. DeLeon, professor of biological sciences and member of the UD board of trustees, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Vision 2015 applauds these outstanding educators. Read more.

Jobs of the Future

U.S. Senator Ted Kaufman recently authored an Education Week commentary about the importance of graduating more students with skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). "STEM fields are absolutely critical to the nation’s continued economic recovery, and to our economic competitiveness well into the future," wrote Senator Kaufman.

To support STEM, Governor Markell signed an executive order on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to form a Council to help Delaware schools strengthen STEM programs. See video here. You can learn more about STEM initiatives in Delaware schools here:  P.S. du Pont Middle School's STEMGINEERS, Delaware Science Coalition Science Kits, Agilent After School Science Program, Delaware Military Academy's Greenbank Mill Engineering Course, and Delaware Business, Industry, Education (BIE) Alliance's What in the World? Program.

Congratulations!

Vision 2015 congratulates Vision Network Liaison, Dr. Robert Rescigno, who was recently awarded Wilmington University's Audrey K. Doberstein Presidential Award for Leadership. Dr. Rescigno is a former principal of Milford High School and former director of the MBNA Scholars Program. He has coordinated the extensive program of leadership training for the 25 schools participating in the Vision Network since its launch in 2007.

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.

Education = New Prosperity

In last week’s State of the Union address, President Obama emphasized the critical need to create jobs for the American people. To do so, he said “we need to invest in the skills and education of our people….” The President also outlined the aspirations of Race to the Top and related initiatives: “…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?  In recent remarks, Delaware Governor Markell committed to creating “an environment for new prosperity," promising to "provide our children a world-class education so they can work in first-class jobs.”

Vision 2015 gives us a blueprint for world-class schools. Delaware’s education plan and accompanying Race to the Top proposal could propel our state to the short list of states that have the capacity and commitment to drive innovation in the classroom, benefiting generations to come. (We will learn in April if Delaware’s proposal is awarded funding in the first round. Read more about the review process.)

Supporting Great Teachers & Leaders

Our state's education reform plan will ensure more great teachers and leaders in all Delaware schools. The research to support the need is clear: students with top-notch teachers and engaged principals do well in school.

A recent RAND Corporation report highlights Delaware as a leader in building a cohesive leadership system that supports great teachers and leaders. This work, which is central to our 25 Vision Network schools, is led by the University of Delaware Academy for School Leadership (DASL) and supported through a grant from The Wallace Foundation.

DASL's work in developing future leaders is featured in this month’s edition of The School Administrator.  Read more from DASL Associate Director Dr. Jackie Wilson and Associate Dr. Sharon Brittingham.

VISION-aries

“Our commitment to educating our children is unshakable.” 

-- Delaware Governor Jack Markell, in the 2010 State of the State address, January 21, 2010

Did You Know

All the districts, charter schools, and local unions in Delaware have signed on to implement the full scope of work outlined by the state in its Race to the Top application, including turning around the persistently lowest achieving schools and requiring new teachers to show student growth through the evaluation system (DPAS II).

Mark Your Calendars!

Children Authors and Illustrators Week

February 1- 7, 2010

Celebrate this special week by reading as a family. So, turn off the TV, gather the family, and spend some time enjoying children’s books together! Learn more.

National School Counseling Week

February 1-5, 2010

Celebrate school counseling by thanking those dedicated professionals in your school counseling office.  National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

A Book, A Buddy & You!

Join the FUN — Spend an Hour Reading to a Buddy! On Monday, February 15, Social Venture Partners Delaware invites you, your family (including your children), and your friends to read to a buddy for an hour. Learn more.

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

Coming Up

February is Black History Month.  What are you doing to celebrate? Let us know. 

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