Hats Off to the Class of 2010

Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2010.  Vision 2015 applauds your accomplishments - both in and out of the classroom!  A special tip of the hat goes to all who will be joining the field of education—the work that you will do will have a lasting impact upon future generations of Delawareans. 

Working Toward Innovation: Race to the Top Update

As Delaware and Tennessee began implementing their Race to the Top plans this spring, 35 other states and the District of Columbia finished up their “Round 2” applications to submit them to USED by the June 1 deadline. Read what bloggers are saying about the Round 2 applications.  The applications will be available soon online and we will provide more information when they are posted.

Meanwhile, district and school teams in Delaware are finalizing their Scope of Work plans, which are due to the Delaware Department of Education by June 18.  Leaders will present plans designed to meet the innovative, broad-based changes envisioned in Race to the Top.  Some of the programs that leaders are considering, which are now possible through the $100 million Race to the Top grant, include:  

• Teach for America
• Learning Link of Delaware
•  NYC Leadership Academy
•  The New Teacher Project
•  Vision Network
• Delaware Academy for School Leadership

Position Openings

The Delaware Department of Education is gearing up for the challenging work ahead by recruiting talented professionals to lead the reforms supported by the Race to the Top grant.  

Currently, the department is looking nationwide for applicants for 10 leadership positions in the areas of Teacher and Leader Effectiveness, Charter Schools and School Turnaround.  Click here to see the complete list of DOE open positions.

Research

On May 27, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released “The Condition of Education 2010,” a Congressionally mandated report on education in America today.  Among the findings: in 2007-08, 20% of public elementary schools and 9% of public secondary schools were considered high-poverty schools versus 15% and 5%, respectively, in 1999-2000; in 2007-08, according to school administrators, 28% of high school graduates from high-poverty schools attended four-year institutions after graduation versus 52% of high school graduates from low-poverty schools; and roughly 57% of first-time students seeking a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution in 2001-02 had completed their degree at that institution within six years. Read more from the Washington Post. 

Did You Know?

This week, the U.S. Department of Education released new videos featuring testimonials from teachers, principals, parents, and students on what it’s like to turn around low-performing schools. Called “Voices of Reform,” the videos showcase schools in three cities that each used a different “turnaround” approach. Click here to learn more from those who are transforming their schools from struggling to high-achieving.

Vision-aries

"The Common Core Standards is an initiative driven locally -- not by Washington -- where we've been able to talk with folks all over the country about what's working best and how we can be sure that our efforts are aligned to really deliver on what's most important -- a better future for our kids and greater hope for their parents."

--Governor Jack Markell, at the announcement of the Common Core of Standards by the National Governors Association on June 2, 2010. 

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Different States – Shared Challenges

Race to the Top has sharpened the nation’s focus on public education, and more and more states are working hard to modernize education policies to be more competitive.  

In May, Colorado legislators passed a bill that changes the way principals and teachers are evaluated and supported.  Student academic growth, based on their work, tests, or annual assessments will be used to determine half of the annual assessments of teachers and principals. It has been touted nationally as a significant education reform, and is a huge step for Colorado to help ensure that every child benefits from high-quality educators and that educators get all the support they need. Read more.

Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell recently signed legislation that is also getting national attention.  The new law modernizes the way the state evaluates principals and teachers; creates a new, more robust and comprehensive data system; creates pathways for talented classroom teachers to become principals; imposes stricter requirements for graduation; focuses attention on core subjects such as math, history, biology and English; and seeks to implement changes that will increase parental involvement. Read more. 

To help their chances in Round 2 of the Race to the Top, many states are enacting new legislation and regulations that allow for more charter schools, pioneering union contracts, and state adoption of Common Core academic standards.  This recent push by state legislators created a watershed for education reform, according to Jon Schnur, an education adviser to the Obama campaign who helped design Race to the Top. “It’s been one of the most important seasons for education reform in American history,” Mr. Schnur said.  Read a recent article in The New York Times to learn about education reforms in other states.

And the Award Goes To…

Hollister Creative, which received a Silver Award of Distinction for this year’s Vision 2015 Progress Report at the Communicator Awards competition, the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for communication professionals.  Selected from more than 7,000 entries, the Silver Award of Distinction is presented for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement.

Mark Your Calendars!

Save the Date…

September 28, 2010