The Public Education Funding Commission had its first formal meeting Thursday. (Photo by seb_ra/iStock Getty Images

School funding group talks inequities, boards, reassessment

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware must decide to remodel its current house or build a completely new house. Thatā€™s the analogy used to describe needed changes to how the state funds its public schools by Michael Griffith, senior researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute. He repeatedly used this mantra Thursday during the first formal meeting of the Public Education Funding Commission, …

Another year, another slew of education bills were discussed and passed the Delaware legislature in 2024. (Photo by Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)

Education experts offer takeaways from 2024 school bills

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With an 8.6% increase in state education funding for fiscal year 2025, which began July 1, the Delaware General Assembly continued its trend of passing legislation specific to the stateā€™s schools.Ā  There were dozens of educational bills passed this legislative year, which concluded June 30.Ā  From college scholarships to improving school climate to establishing a commission to evaluate how schools …

The majority of state sports championships this season were won by private schools.

GA mulls separate public, private school sports titles

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

On the heels of the state championships for many high school sports, the Delaware legislature is considering distinct title games for public and private schools.Ā  Senate Bill 328, sponsored by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, directs the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association to separate all public and private school team championship sanctioned events. ā€œThe bill in and of itself is somewhat offensive …

The board chair of Newark Charter joined a few other charter leaders to voice their support for Senate Bill 311.

Charter leaders happy with flexibility new legislation could giveĀ 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Several leaders from charter schools spoke at the stateā€™s legislative hall in support of a bill that allows them flexibility in hiring. Senate Bill 311, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark, provides the ability for charter schools to hire the administrators that they deem beneficial to the success of the schoolā€™s education program and the needs of …

The state's graduation rate is more than double the proficiency rates.

How is state grad. rate 88% with 31% math proficiency, 41% ELA?

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Although just 31% of students in Delaware are proficient in math and 41% are proficient in English language arts, the graduation rate in First State high schools is 88%.Ā  ā€œWhile Delaware’s graduation rate is encouraging, understanding achievement requires a deeper look at student growth throughout their K-12 experience,ā€ said Julia Keleher, chief strategy and operating officer for First State Educate, …

Three of four of Appo's candidates participated in Tuesday night's Q+A. (From left: Britney Mumford, Norm Abrams, Candace Jusino)

Appo school board candidates meet public; one no-show

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Another night of get-to-know school board candidate forums, another missing participant. The trend of office-hopefuls not showing up to public meetings continues, as just three of the four of Appoquinimink School Districtā€™s school board candidates for this yearā€™s election attended Tuesday night’s meeting. In the second installment of a four-district virtual series, candidate Timothy Johns declined to participate in the …

Appoquinimink's second and last chance to pass this referendum is April 23. Photo of Appoquinimink High School.

Appo VP: ‘Ugly cuts,ā€™ 45 kids in class if referendum failsĀ 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

  NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect correct taxes on assessed homes. The vice president of Appoquinimink School Districtā€™s Board of Education warned the community that disaster will ensue if the district’s second attempt at a referendum fails this month.Ā  ā€œWe have to cut 91 positions. That’s about 5% of our staff,ā€ said Vice President Richard Forsten, who …

Delaware's 2024 school board elections are Tuesday, May 14.

19 to compete for 8 seats in May 14 school board elections

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

In a light year for school board races, 19 candidates are vying for eight open seats across eight of the stateā€™s 19 school districts. This yearā€™s election is Tuesday, May 14, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last year, 43 candidates ran for 23 vacancies across 16 school districts. In 2022,Ā  42 candidates competed for 19 open …

Delaware breaks its funding expenditures for schools into nine categories.

Hereā€™s how Delaware slices its school funding pie

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

One might find it hard to believe that laundry, driverā€™s ed and athletic travel and equipment are considered ā€œinstructional costsā€ in Delaware public schools, but they are.Ā  Instruction is one of nine categories of funding for the First Stateā€™s public schools.Ā  It makes up 55.28% of the spending for the 23-24 school year, totaling $1,584,970,346, according to the Delaware State …

Goldey-Beacom College will host the school fair event on Jan. 27.

Delaware school fair on Jan. 27 part of national choice week

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

An all-day event for students to explore the various educational opportunities in Delaware is coming to a state college later this month. The National School Choice Awareness Foundation is having dozens of school fairs across the country in January for National School Choice Week 2024. Independently planned by local organizations, these events provide parents with the opportunity to meet with …