December 27, 2023

Editor's Note: As we look toward 2024, this month's issue of Take Note highlights some of our favorite stories from the past twelve months. The end of the year is an opportunity to celebrate the great work of our students and educators in 2023. Space has limited our selections - there are so many other great stories to revisit! - so don't consider this list exhaustive. Enjoy these highlights from 2023 and let us know what we should be celebrating in 2024 by emailing us your story ideas at Take.Note@doe.k12.de.us. Find past issues of Take Note here. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season, and thank you to the educators, families, community partners and others for the hard work you do every day to support Delaware students.

Governor approves teacher raises, education investments

Surrounded by teachers, administrators, members of the General Assembly, and advocates, Governor Carney this year announced significant investments in public education across Delaware. Investments that were included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget were:

“I was raised by two educators. I know the difference a good teacher can make in the life of a student,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why teachers are central to all our efforts in education. And our goal with these investments is pretty straightforward. We want to retain and recruit the best teachers into Delaware schools.”

Check out the final Public Education Compensation Committee (PECC) recommendations for consideration in the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2025 recommended budget.

Governor announces major child care investments, initiatives

Governor Carney this year announced the administration’s child care priorities and investments for the coming year. As outlined in last year’s State of the State address, Delaware will continue to make child care policies and investments a priority.

The state took the following actions to support, enhance, and expand child care quality and access this year:

Additionally, Delaware won an $8 million federal Preschool Development Grant, which will help the state be innovative in strengthening its early childhood infrastructure. For more information on Delaware’s grant, please visit the Preschool Development Grant website.

“We know how critical the early years are to a child’s success,” said Governor Carney. “We also know how important our child care providers are to our state. Today’s significant investments in Purchase of Care, ECAP, and our youngest learners with special needs are another step forward for child care in our state. I want to thank Lt. Governor Hall-Long and others for continuing to make child care a priority. And thank you to all of our child care providers for what you do every day.”

Delaware removes barriers for aspiring educators

Governor John Carney signed several pieces of legislation this month as the state comes together to address Delaware's educator shortage (more pics).

Education vacancies have become harder to fill in recent years due to labor market changes and more. In response, the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) has partnered with higher education institutions, districts and charters, the state Department of Labor, and area organizations to develop a multi-pronged approach focused on attracting and retaining talented educators.

In August, Governor Carney signed three education bills into law, helping address a frequently noted reason for the decline in teacher candidates: financial barriers, particularly for those who must work during student teaching hours and also mid-career professionals unable to reduce their pay while going back to school.

Sponsored by Delaware Representative Kim Williams and Senator Elizabeth Lockman, House Bill 138 develops the Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Program, placing aspiring teachers in paid public-school positions while they complete the training and schooling necessary to become a credentialed teacher. Participants work closely with skilled mentors to gain valuable teaching knowledge and experience. This free preparation also helps future educators acquire more insight into their chosen career before graduation, and additionally make connections with districts and charter schools that can lead to permanent employment. A pilot apprenticeship program between Wilmington University and the Appoquinimink School District will begin this school year. The program will be expanding in school year 2024-25.

Delaware’s teacher apprenticeship strategy complements House Bill 430 and Senate Bill 156, also signed this month. HB 430 establishes the Grow Your Own Educator program, offering grants for districts and charters to develop local programs that provide free tuition and related assistance to eligible high school graduates interested in becoming Delaware teachers. In return, students work in the sponsor district or charter for a minimum of three years. The competitive Grow Your Own grant prioritizes programs focused on high-needs schools, bilingual candidates, and those without bachelor’s degrees.

SB 156 provides paraprofessionals who become teachers with partial credit on the teacher salary scale for their years of paraprofessional experience. Under the previous model, paraprofessional experience would not have counted as teaching experience, leaving applicants who were seeking to transition from a paraprofessional to a teacher at risk of a pay cut. To receive the credit, paraprofessionals must work as teachers within their same districts or charters.

“These innovative programs offer our state new ways to attract and retain educators, and also help us address equity challenges in Delaware education,” said Secretary of Education Mark Holodick. “Instead of relying on short-term, quick fixes, the state is investing in ongoing strategies like these alongside year-long teacher residencies, school staff compensation enhancements, and more. When we reduce barriers to becoming an educator, we attract a more diverse workforce that ultimately benefits all students.”

For more information on becoming a Delaware educator, contact Ann Hlabangana-Clay at Ann.Hlabangana-Clay@doe.k12.de.us.

Delaware marks school safety achievements

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) joins staff and students from Sussex Technical High School and officials from Sussex County Emergency Operations Center and Delaware State Police to test the standard method to reunite students and families during a school emergency. Representatives from Beebe Healthcare also attended.

The Delaware Comprehensive School Safety Program (CSSP) is marking the completion of several significant safety initiatives, including:

The new school safety plan is the first major update since the creation of CSSP in 2012 and will provide schools with the most current guidance to keep students and staff prepared for a wide range of emergencies.

Delaware is now the first in the U.S. to complete high-resolution digital blueprints of all school buildings and grounds for every public and charter school in the state.

Delaware is also the first to complete statewide adoption of the “Standard Response Protocol” (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter) and the “Standard Reunification Method” by the I Love U Guys Foundation, considered the gold standard in responding and reuniting students with parents or guardians during any crisis: fire, flood, tornado, power outage, bomb threat, accident, or act of violence. All state schools have now completed training and are forming reunification teams.

State program celebrates first CDA credential graduate

The Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) graduated its first Child Development Associate® (CDA) earlier this month. Jacqueline Riley Charlton was the first student in the state-funded program to complete the models necessary to obtain a CDA credential. Each model is designed to meet the unique needs of Delaware's early childhood workforce.  

CDA is a nationally-recognized credential for early childhood professionals. The credential provides a pathway for learning best teaching practices and helps early childhood educators meet current state and national requirements. Applying for the CDA requires 120 hours of education, 480 hours of work experience, and a professional portfolio.

ECIC is a newly developed initiative aiming to redesign Delaware’s early childhood education support model. Funded by the Delaware Department of Education in partnership with Delaware State University, ECIC is focused on improving access and removing barriers to early learning educators pursuing advanced credentials, such as the CDA certificate and post-secondary associate or bachelor degrees. 

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov