HB 203 would require high schools to teach financial literacy, and students would need to take a half-credit to graduate.

Financial literacy may become graduation requirement

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Delaware students may soon be required to take a financial literacy class in order to graduate.  House Bill 203, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Millsboro, would require public schools to teach financial literacy, which is essentially how to make smart decisions about money. A unanimous vote in the House Education Committee Wednesday sent it to House ready list for debate …

A proposed bill would task schools with teaching financial literacy.

State Rep: We must teach financial literacy in school

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A Republican legislature has made it his mission to educate Delaware’s youth on finances.  Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Millsboro, has proposed a bill that would require public schools to teach financial literacy, which is essentially how to make smart decisions about money. “I’ve kind of taken this on as a badge of honor,” he said. Hilovsky said he has noticed his …

A plethora of college scholarships are available for Delaware students.

College scholarships from state, private groups roll out

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Dozens of First State prospective college students are receiving financial help through scholarships. Some scholarships have already been granted while others are expected to be awarded soon, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial aid is distributed throughout the process from private groups and public state agencies. Here are some of the notable scholarships already awarded:  Herman M. Holloway …

DOE, DSIU and UD asked for millions Friday.

Educational groups seek millions for capital needs

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Department of Education, Delaware State University and the University of Delaware requested millions of dollars from the state Friday for critical and minor capital projects. Leaders from the three bodies presented their requests to the Joint Capital Improvement Committee.  Also known as the Bond Committee, it’s made up of six state representatives and six state senators who are responsible …

The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee listen to a presentation by the Delaware Department of Education. (Jarek Rutz photo)

JFC asks for return on investment on educational spending

Jarek RutzEducation, Government, Headlines

Several members of the Joint Finance Committee asked the Department of Education officials on Wednesday when and if they would ever see a return on the state’s investment in public education. Student achievement metrics like standardized test scores have fallen off a cliff over the past decade and the state still faces a teacher shortage. Education Secretary Mark Holodick and …

Wilmington Learning Collaborative officials voted on a salary range for the executive director. (Unsplash)

Learning Collab talks budget, executor director salary

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Wilmington Learning Collaborative officials grappled over budget plans and filled two vacant council positions Thursday night in their second meeting since forming. Shanika Perry, a Brandywine school board member on the governing council, was appointed by Gov. John Carney to serve as the chair of the collaborative, which is dedicated to helping the city’s elementary and middle school children learn …

All education workers will get a 3% raise, and all school teachers and specialists will get a 9% raise in Gov. John Carney's budget recommendations for next year. (Unsplash)

Carney’s education raises cause stir in compensation committee

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Gov. John Carney’s announcement last week of a 9% pay raise for teachers caused a lot of comment in Monday night’s Public Education Compensation Committee. Also discussed was a proposal to keep teachers in their Delaware jobs by giving them full pension benefits at 25 years of service instead of making them wait until they reach 30 years. Carney said …

Delaware's Department of Education published the state's 2022 test scores Tuesday.

2022 Rewind: State education test scores described as ‘crisis’ 

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

This story was originally published in August 2022. Delaware’s 2022 test scores were released this August, and they aren’t pretty.  Just 30% of Delaware students in grades three to eight met grade-level math requirements, while 42% earned a proficient score in English language arts.  These scores come from the state-administered Smarter Balanced Assessment, an end-of-the-year summative test that measures the …

The state teachers union is calling for Public Education Compensation Committee meetings to be moved to later in the day in order to allow more teachers to attend. (Freepik)

Teachers union calls for pay committee to #MoveTheMeeting

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware’s teachers union is circulating a petition that demands a state compensation committee move its monthly meeting time an hour later so teachers can attend. Right now, the Public Education Compensation Committee, which is considering raises for teachers and other school workers, meets at 3:30 p.m. Lack of teacher voice “If you want to hear from educators, hold meetings when …

Red Clay board member pushes transparency for Wilmington Learning Collab.

 Red Clay board member questions Learning Collab’s transparency

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

  A Red Clay Consolidated School District board member is pressing the new Wilmington Learning Collaborative to advertise meetings. Cathy Thompson, the former head of the board, asked Superintendent Dorrell Green to ensure that the newly-created board is as transparent as possible during their Nov. 16 meeting. The Learning Collaborative’s memorandum of understanding was signed Nov. 1 by members of …