August 28, 2024

Summer enrichment programs benefit Delaware students

Students and staff gear up for kindergarten at Caesar Rodney School District's Camp Aloha summer program.

Students across Delaware benefitted from multiple enrichment programs this summer designed to enhance literacy skills and overall well-being. Backed by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Governor John Carney, and key community partners, the programs were offered in school districts and charter schools statewide.

Nearly $1 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were dedicated to enrichment programs entered on the science of reading, ensuring students received evidence-based instruction to improve their literacy skills. In addition to literacy, programs also emphasized health and wellness, social and emotional learning, and exposure to the arts and STEM fields. Many schools also provided high-dosage tutoring, an intensive tutoring approach that involves frequent, consistent sessions – often conducted one-on-one or in small groups – to accelerate student learning.

Through high-dosage tutoring this summer, Delaware students grew in three out of the three measures of foundational literacy by August. Measures included students' abilities to segment spoken words into their parts, to produce correct letter sounds, and to read nonsense words correctly. Ninety-four percent of 5th graders grew in at least one of these measures, as did 90% of 3rd and 4th grade students. Kindergarten and 2nd grade students also made significant progress toward benchmarks in nonsense word fluency. This progress aligns with the goals of the Delaware Early Literacy Plan and implementation of the state's science of reading legislation.

"We know that summer programs make a significant impact on students when school is out of session and will continue to do so in the upcoming school year," Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. "We are incredibly grateful to the dedicated school staff and community partners who are making this possible."

At Academia Antonia Alonso, students also participated in a unique program that included equine therapy, providing an innovative way to support students' emotional and mental health.

"Our summer program, supported by the DDOE Summer Learning Grant, had a profound impact on our students at Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School," Academia Executive Director Mercedes Alonso said. "The resources we were able to provide empowered our students to explore new learning opportunities and reinforced their academic skills, setting a strong foundation for the upcoming school year. We witnessed increased engagement, confidence, and enthusiasm among our students, and we are truly grateful for the support that made this possible."

In Seaford School District, the summer program took a family-oriented approach, inviting families of pre-kindergarten students to engage in reading activities together. The program also offered parents strategies they can use at home to support their children's literacy development.

"We are grateful for this generous grant, which will provide our families with the tools and resources they need to support their children's literacy development. This partnership will have a lasting impact on our youngest learners, setting them on a path to success,” Superintendent Sharon DiGirolamo said.

The Caesar Rodney School District partnered with Capital School District to provide the Freedom School to students in grades 1-8. The district also offered Camp Aloha, a program designed for incoming kindergarten students. For eight days, students attended half-day sessions to help them prepare for their full-day kindergarten experience this fall.

"The Freedom School partnership provided reading enrichment in a camp like environment that was both engaging and entertaining for the students," Caesar Rodney Assistant Superintendent Jessilene Corbett said. "At Camp Aloha, students made new friends, played games, sang & danced to music, all while practicing the alphabet and learning numbers."

Innovative programs were also available in Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Cape Henlopen, Christina, and Red Clay Consolidated school districts as well as Kuumba Academy, Odyssey, and Sussex Montessori charter schools.

As the state continues to focus on educational equity and student success, the summer enrichment programs are an essential component in preparing students for the challenges of the next academic year.

State releases guidance on generative AI in classrooms

The Delaware Department of Education has developed guidance for districts and charter schools on generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom.

The document is the result of an eight month-long collaborative effort with the state’s Council on Educational Technology and its Generative AI Subcommittee. The guidance outlines benefits of AI as well as its risks. The document suggests strategies for addressing this challenge in hopes that it will help districts/charters develop local policies.

“Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, and, quite honestly, our students sometimes are ahead of us in this realm,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “We aim to support our educators with information on what AI is and how it can be safely and ethically integrated into the classroom to support education as well as strategies for addressing academic dishonesty. We encourage districts and charter schools to develop local policies to address AI use in their schools.”

The guidance document notes advantages to AI in K-12 education, including efficiency and speed to analyze data and error reduction. It also notes cautions such as privacy concerns, lack of creativity and ethical concerns. Regarding student learning, the document cites benefits to AI if used properly such as the ability to personalize content, support student creativity, provide tutoring and help students with critical thinking and future skills. It also notes risks such as plagiarism and cheating, misinformation, social bias, bullying and harassment, overreliance on AI models and unequal access to AI tools.

“School districts and charter schools are positioned to leverage generative AI as a transformative tool within an established framework that prioritizes student safety, educational integrity, and evidence-based instructional methodologies,” the report says. “The integration of generative AI may not necessitate the creation of new policies but rather the extension of existing policies to address emerging concerns.”

Designed to be a living document, the guidance will continue to be updated as new issues emerge and more information is available.

Governor announces State Board of Education appointments

Congratulations to State Board members Sage Sawhney and Megan Szabo.

Governor John Carney has appointed Caesar Rodney High School student Sage Sawhney to serve on the State Board of Education. He has reappointed Dr. Megan Szabo, the Assistant Principal at Magnolia Middle School, to serve a third term on the board.

“We need students and educators to be at the table when we are making important decisions about Delaware schools,” said Governor Carney. “I want to thank Sage for taking on this role and sharing his perspective on behalf of Delawareans, and I want to thank Dr. Szabo for her willingness to continue to serve our state.”

A senior at Caesar Rodney High, Sage serves as chapter president of the international mathematics honor society Mu Alpha Theta and is the varsity tennis captain. He is an active volunteer, teaching and mentoring in several community organizations, including as a senior SAT tutor with Schoolhouse through Khan Academy. He established the PEER tutoring program in collaboration with University of Delaware.

Dr. Szabo is a veteran educator and Delaware’s 2015 State Teacher of the Year. Prior to her role as an administrator with the Caesar Rodney School District, Dr. Szabo was the Achievement Liaison Teacher at Magnolia Middle School and a part of the leadership team that opened the building in the fall of 2021.  She worked for over a decade at Postlethwait Middle School as a science teacher and at the Caesar Rodney School District Office as the K-12 Science Resource Teacher for five years. 

“The Delaware State Board of Education values student voice; we welcome Sage and look forward to hearing his perspective about public education in Delaware,” said Shawn Brittingham, President of the Delaware State Board of Education. “Dr. Szabo has brought valuable input these last two years as an experienced educator and instructional leader.”

In 2018, the Delaware General Assembly passed House Bill 455 which added two non-voting seats to the Delaware State Board of Education. The board’s regular monthly meetings are open to the public, typically scheduled for the third Thursday evening of the month. The board rotates its meetings to be held in all three counties.

First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney released her original children’s book – Books for Blue – this month, encouraging children and all readers to visit their local library, step outside their comfort zones, explore different genres, and discover their passions through reading. Books for Blue is available in three languages, English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. The book was reviewed by Dr. Meghan Walls, a Delaware child psychologist, and published by Syncretic Press.

“First Chance is all about strengthening partnerships to serve Delaware’s children and their families,” said First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney. “One of our main pillars has been to encourage early language experiences toward healthy brain development and school readiness. Casey Family Programs, Delaware Libraries, children’s healthcare providers, and early education champions all have been lead partners in that work. Books for Blue conveys a lot of the messages we’ve hoped to advance. In addition to the essential need to actively develop kids’ skills and habits around reading, those messages include how literacy activities can strengthen family connections and the importance of nurturing curiosity, self-awareness, and joy in lifelong learning. As Blue says, ‘keep looking to learn what you’re looking for.’”

This book was made possible by the generosity and partnership of Casey Family Programs. Families will be able to borrow Books for Blue from 33 libraries across the state in the coming weeks. Copies are also being sent to school districts for distribution in their schools and early learning centers for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney will be participating in events across the state as part of the Reading Tour with educators, members of the General Assembly, and various community partners.

There is an accompanying book walk/roll mobile display which will be offered to state agencies and partners for outdoor events. The book walk/roll will have its inaugural display at the opening celebration of the Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy on August 23, the first new school in the City of Wilmington in decades.

“Children learn to read by grade three and then read to learn for the rest of their lives. Literacy is the foundation that each of our students and neighbors need for success. As we approach the start of the school year, let’s share the messages found in the pages of Books for Blue,” said Governor Carney. “Visit your local library. Be curious. And be eager to lean on others for advice.”

In 2022, in response to the rise in demand for library services, Governor Carney invested $40 million in Delaware libraries throughout all three counties. This funding – championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – benefitted nine libraries and made two new facilities for Selbyville and Harrington, respectively, possible.

Throughout the Carney Administration, First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney has been lifting up important topics including promoting learning readiness through literacy, health, and parent-child engagement programs, and advancing the recognition of and effective response to adverse childhood experiences through her First Chance Delaware initiative. First Chance is a vehicle to recognize and to facilitate effective partnerships, to share research and best practices, and to promote awareness of opportunities to collaborate in support of Delaware’s children. Casey Family Programs provided the founding grant for First Chance Delaware and has continued to provide technical and operational support through Casey’s First Spouse Initiative program.

Get a free library card for your student: https://lib.de.us/librarycard/

Doors open at new Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy

Juanita Pritchett, wife of Maurice Pritchett Sr., helps cut the ribbon at the new Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy in Wilmington.

Governor Carney and First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney joined Senator Coons, members of the General Assembly, Mayor Mike Purzycki, the Christina School District, the Delaware Department of Education, the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, educators, students, families, and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy.

“The brand-new Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy is one of the commitments we made to our children in the city,” said Governor Carney. “A school is so much more than bricks and mortar — It’s a pillar of a community. To the educators who show up day in and day out for their students, you deserve this. We’re grateful for all our partners, including the members of the General Assembly, who helped us get this done for our children. And I’m honored to be a part of a project that recognizes Maurice Pritchett’s legacy in the city.”

This is the first newly constructed school in the City of Wilmington in decades, and the facility was fully funded by the State of Delaware. Governor Carney proposed $50 million towards the construction of the school in his FY21 recommended budget. The Governor recognized the Pritchett family and the new building in his 2024 State of the State Address.

“Maurice Pritchett was a mountain of a man, and there is perhaps no better way to contribute to his enduring legacy than by naming a structure of learning in his honor,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “A man who dedicated decades of his life to learning deserves to be remembered in a way that highlights all the young lives he touched, and this tribute does just that.”

“This is the first new school in the City of Wilmington in half a century, and it is fitting that it is named after a man who dedicated his life to supporting the academic success of this city’s youth. The building is beautiful, but we know alone that is not enough,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “What will make the difference in its students’ lives are the educators and staff who are committed to their success.  We need both the talent and passion of the educators paired with the financial commitment to provide the resources, investments and supports the students need.  I’m excited that we have both and can’t wait for these doors to open to students for the first day of school this fall.”

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov