It’s that time of year again, and with voter turnout historically bad – sub 10% – education experts urge the public to participate in Tuesday’s school board elections. “Tomorrow’s school board elections are a powerful opportunity for Delawareans to shape the future of public education,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “The leaders we choose will guide …
In an effort to curb classroom disruptions and address rising concerns over student behavior and mental health, Delaware lawmakers are advancing new legislation that would require all public schools and charter schools in the state to adopt stricter policies on student cell phone use. Sen. Eric Buckson, R-South Dover, introduced Senate Bill 106 on Tuesday, a bipartisan measure aimed at …
Senator Eric Buckson (R-South Dover) has introduced new legislation aimed at reducing potential health risks to Delaware students by prohibiting the sale or distribution of food and beverages containing Red Dye 40 in public and charter schools. Senate Bill 69 seeks to protect children from potential adverse health effects associated with synthetic food dyes, including concerns over hyperactivity and behavioral …
A Delaware Republican Senator has sent a letter to President Trump asking him to posthumously pardon an Underground Railroad hero and abolitionist from the First State. Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, wants Trump to grant clemency to John Hunn, a Quaker abolitionist born in 1818 who is widely regarded as the architect of Delaware’s Underground Railroad. John Hunn’s legacy Hunn was …
Parents have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to submit applications for their child to attend a school outside their residential district for the 2025-2026 academic year. If history holds true, the state is likely to see about 25,000 applications from parents wanting to switch this year. “Delaware is unique, but it’s more about understanding that our children are unique,” said Kendall …
A recent dispute over Delaware’s school recognition program highlights the growing challenge of measuring and communicating educational progress in an era of increasing data complexity. The Delaware Department of Education recently awarded 17 schools with state and national recognition for achievements in student growth, closing achievement gaps, and serving special populations. However, education policy expert Tanya Hettler, Ph.D., from the …
Seventeen organizations throughout the First State are asking for a combined $47,138,560 for construction, upgrades, and additions to their sports complexes to generate more income and attract more athletes and patrons. The requests range from as little as $319,680 from the Sandhill Fields in Georgetown to as much as $10 million from Dover’s First State Aquatic Center. It’s sure to …
Delaware must decide to remodel its current house or build a completely new house. That’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, …
A New Castle County education agency plans to put $5.7 million into in-school health services and outside time service $3.7 million into pre-K in 2025. Those are the biggest items in the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity’s $14.6 million budget, which began July 1. The consortium also will put $1.6 million into planning for redistricting Christina School District and removing …
As Delaware students head back to school, a state task force dedicated to keeping their environment positive had a major focus on family engagement and funding. The 24-member Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force, made of government and educational officials as well as school behavioral specialists and resource officers, first heard a presentation from Kendall Massett, executive director of …
