Vision 2015 FAQ

1. What is Vision 2015? What makes it different?

Vision 2015 is credited as being one of the most comprehensive and coherent education improvement plans in the nation, designed to ensure that every public school student in Delaware has access to an excellent public education. Unlike prior initiatives, Vision 2015 addresses every aspect of the public education system. It builds on the best of what has been done, while recognizing that we haven’t yet done all we can to ensure that every Delaware child is prepared for success in life. The plan was developed by a coalition of public, private and civic leaders through the state, with significant input from parents, educators, and students, as well as research on best practices from around the world. Vision 2015 is committed to implementing well-researched policies and practices and creating the partnerships and public support that will ensure educational excellence in our schools.

2. Who is leading Vision 2015?

The Vision 2015 Implementation Team includes leadership from a broad range of public, private, and civic groups. The Team meets regularly to align efforts, evaluate progress, and sustain momentum.

The Implementation Team includes:

Ernest Dianastasis, Managing Director, CAI, Chair
H. Raye Jones Avery, Executive Director, Christina Cultural Arts Center
Susan Bunting, Superintendent, Indian River School District
Paul A. Herdman, President and CEO, Rodel Foundation of Delaware
Frederika Jenner, President, Delaware State Education Association
Mark Murphy, Secretary, Delaware Department of Education
Daniel Rich, Chair, Delaware Early Childhood Council
Marvin N. Schoenhals, Chairman, WSFS Bank
John H. Taylor, Jr., Executive Director, Delaware Public Policy Institute

3. Who created the Vision 2015 plan?

The plan was created by a 28-member Steering Committee, composed of educators, community leaders, business representatives, and leading public officials. Well over half of the Steering Committee’s members have taught in the classroom. Four Steering Committee members represented several of Delaware’s largest employers, for whom the quality of our future workforce is a great priority. In addition, about 500 teachers, principals, parents and community representatives participated in work groups and focus group meetings throughout Delaware to help the Steering Committee develop the plan. This plan was written by Delawareans, for Delaware.

4. What is the Vision Network and how does it fit in with the larger Vision 2015 Plan?

The Vision Network is the “on the ground” arm of Vision 2015. Established in 2007, the Network is composed of Delaware school districts and charter schools that are committed to implementing recommendations about school leadership and classroom instruction. The Vision Network currently includes 26 school, representing five districts and four charter schools, with participation from all three Delaware’s counties.

To learn more about the Vision Network, watch this Content Delaware video.

5. Does Vision 2015 only focus its efforts in Delaware?

Yes, the Vision 2015 coalition is composed of Delawareans and the Vision 2015 plan was designed specifically for Delaware public schools. Yet, numerous states across the country have sought guidance from the Vision 2015 coalition on how to implement similar efforts elsewhere. Delaware should be proud of the leadership that it is providing in the national effort to transform its schools to world-class.

6. What is Race to the Top? How does it relate to Vision 2015?

Race to the Top is the federal government’s largest competitive grants program in public education, designed to spur innovative state‐based school reform plans. It is funded with $4.35 billion in federal stimulus dollars under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of that, $4 billion has been distributed to states for their Race to the Top plans, and $350 million is being used to support new, improved student assessment systems. In March 2010, Delaware was awarded a first-place grant of $119 million to improve education in Delaware public schools.

Four of Vision 2015’s priorities align directly with Race to the Top’s goals. Two additional Vision 2015 goals—early childhood education and school funding—are not part of Race to the Top, yet continue to be an important focus for the Vision 2015 Implementation Team. We are proud of Delaware’s multi‐decade commitment to reform, especially the creation of Vision 2015, which provided a four‐year “on‐ramp” leading to Delaware’s Race to the Top award.

To learn more about Race to the Top, watch this Content Delaware video.

7. Why is Race to the Top funding necessary?

Despite numerous reform efforts over many years—most of which were targeted to isolated programs and supports–just one in three Delaware public school students meets national standards in reading and math. And just one in four Delaware public school students who are behind in math in 3rd grade will catch up by the 10th grade. Isolated interventions haven’t work at the state-wide scale that is required to serve all of our students. Race to the Top funding—tied to comprehensive plans for improvement—is providing Delaware’s districts and schools with an incredible opportunity to advance our education system—not only to raise test scores, but to maximize student achievement and to ensure that all students graduate college- or career-ready.

8. Why should Vision 2015 compare student performance in the United States to that of other countries?

We compare our education system to that of other countries because we have to. Our graduates are competing increasingly for jobs with graduates from other nations. Disappointingly, the United States now ranks in the bottom third of more than three dozen nations (that also offer universal K-12 education) on an international survey of student performance.

9. When Delaware is 8th in the nation in spending per pupil, do we need more money for our schools?

Vision 2015 is focusing on ways to use existing funds more efficiently and effectively for the direct benefit of Delaware’s educators and students. Getting a handle on this is critically important, especially now. Race to the Top funding ends in 2014 so we believe we must change the underlying funding systems to ensure that improvements are sustainable.

In 2008 Vision 2015 helped facilitate two key studies related to school funding in Delaware: the LEAD Committee’s Cost Efficiency Study, which identified up to $158M in expenses that could be reallocated to the classroom (only small portions of that amount have been saved so far), and a parallel study on how public funds are raised and allocated to our schools. The intent of the second study was to present the means by which funding could be allocated based on the individual needs of students (e.g., special education, English language learners, gifted and talented, and low-income). Currently most school funding is apportioned on a per-child “unit” basis that does not allow for different needs.

In terms of additional support, some programs, such as those that would provide extra learning time or expanded access to early childhood programs, have only modest financial support, yet they remain extremely important. For example, Governor Markell’s $22M early childhood budget proposal, which was passed by the General Assembly in 2011, will help improve the quality of early childhood services. When considering costs, we must ask: “What will it cost if we don’t invest in our children?” By investing earlier and smarter, and by insisting that public schools spend the public’s resources more efficiently, we will save in the long run by revitalizing our economy, creating healthier communities, and helping individuals become more productive citizens.

The data speak for themselves:
• A high school graduate earns $600,000 more during his/her life than a dropout.
• A college graduate earns $1.4 million more than a high school dropout.
• And, with more students staying in, and graduating from, high school and college, the costs to society of incarceration and Medicaid will be cut considerably.

To learn more about Delaware’s school funding, watch this Content Delaware video.

10. How do we ensure that funds get to the students according to their individual needs?

Creating a “needs-based” funding formula will go a long way toward making sure that schools serving English language learners, students with disabilities, high-need populations, and gifted and talented students have the resources they need. Vision 2015 promotes quality education that fits each student’s individual needs and interests. While some students need remediation, others need accelerated learning, and funding should reflect those differences.

The Delaware General Assembly has taken small steps toward needs-based funding, principally for special education students, yet more can be done to ensure that funding is targeted to support every child’s success.

11. Does Vision 2015 encourage different types of school design? What about charter and magnet schools?

We encourage innovation throughout the public school system. We know that students learn in different ways and have different interests. Some may thrive in a traditional classroom, while others may need more hands-on learning; some may want to specialize in a certain subject like the arts or science or foreign languages. Public schools should offer choices like these – whether in a traditional public school, public charter school, public magnet school, or blended-learning model school.

12. Why should we prepare all students for college?

Vision 2015 believes in laying the foundation for success in any field—and in life. We’re not saying that all students absolutely must go to college, but fairness demands that all students have the education that gives them the choice and the opportunity to do so. Today’s high school graduates will enter a workplace that is vastly different from that of 10 and 20 years ago. These days, postsecondary training is required for most jobs, whether it’s an assembly line that requires computer use, farming that uses “GPS” data, or business professions that require advanced analytical thinking.

13. What about the arts and other non-core subjects?

These areas are essential to a well-rounded education, and they very often engage, deepen, and sustain a child’s interest in learning. Vision 2015′s emphasis on innovative instruction and multiple school options is geared, in part, toward providing more learning opportunities that enrich and go beyond the core subjects of reading, writing and math. We hope to provide principals and their leadership teams with greater flexibility to design their own programs within the state’s curricular framework, and to offer families more choices, such as schools that specialize in the arts.

14. Why should teachers support Vision 2015?

Vision 2015 recognizes that good teaching is the most important in-school factor in student success. That’s why the plan proposes more competitive salaries, more decision-making for those who work the closest to students (especially principals and their leadership teams), professional development geared toward classroom effectiveness, fairer evaluations, and a career path that helps teachers advance even if they choose not to leave the classroom. Those who are effective should be rewarded. Those who need extra help should get it. The plan also recommends additional supports for teachers and paraprofessionals, such as parent involvement and early childhood education.

15. How does Vision 2015 benefit school leaders?

Vision 2015 is working to give current principals more autonomy in hiring and budgeting and to ensure excellence among the pool of future school leaders. For example, we support the Delaware Leadership Project, launched in 2011, which is helping prepare aspiring principals for placement in the state’s highest-need urban and rural schools. The 15-month fellowship responds to the realities of what it takes to lead a high-needs school and utilizes problem-based and action-learning methodologies in classroom and school residency settings.

16. What is the role of parents and families in Vision 2015?

Involved parents and families are essential for student success. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Delaware supports Vision 2015. PTA leadership participated actively in the development of Vision 2015. Also, The Learning Link of Delaware, which sponsors the Delaware Parent Leadership Institute (DPLI) and participated in the design of Vision 2015, is training parents to better understand school achievement data so they can assist educators in making educational improvements. DPLI’s 60-hour course trains parents and caregivers who have demonstrated leadership potential in their communities and an interest in improving schools and enhancing academic achievement. Participants learn about research-based best-practice models, design projects to assist educators, and learn how to become effective advocates for their children.

17. What’s been done and what happens next?

In October 2011, Vision 2015 held its fifth annual conference and released its Five Year repor t outlining the progress that the state has made since the Vision Plan was published in 2006. At the conference, Vision 2015 premiered “IMAGINE the World Awaiting Today’s 1st Grader.”

18. What can I do to support the plan and learn more?

We hope you will stay up-to-date by visiting our site often, and sign up for our newsletter to stay abreast of news coverage, events, and publications.

Participate in events posted on our website and share related events that you know are happening.
Volunteer, mentor, and donate to local organizations supporting Delaware schools and students.
Speak with school and community leaders and your public representatives about your support for Vision 2015.
Contact Vision 2015 staff if you have questions, at info@visioncoalitionde.org. And get in touch with Vision Network staff.