September 2026

Building a stronger approach to school support and accountability

Delaware is developing a new School Performance and Support Framework to provide a clearer, more consistent approach to improving student outcomes and supporting schools.

The draft framework includes five tiers. Tier 1 establishes strong expectations and statewide supports for every school. As student and school needs increase, additional tiers provide more targeted support, closer monitoring, and increased accountability.

The framework is designed to help DDOE and schools use evidence to identify needs, determine appropriate supports, monitor implementation, and review whether students are improving. It also makes DDOE’s responsibilities clearer, including providing guidance, technical assistance, resources, and stronger intervention when sustained support does not lead to improvement.

This work is still in the draft stage. DDOE is gathering feedback from educators, school and district leaders, families, education partners, students, and community members to inform the framework’s continued development. Feedback is open through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Learn more and share your feedback online.

Delaware Teacher of the Year to be named in October

Delaware will celebrate 20 outstanding educators on Oct. 13 and announce which one will serve as the state’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.

Districts and the Delaware Charter Network nominated the teachers during the 2026 calendar year. The nominees were recognized for their ability to inspire a love of learning, their exemplary professional qualities and their dedication to teaching.

The selection process begins with a five-essay application. Five Delaware Department of Education staff members and five former state teachers of the year independently review the applications. A former state teacher of the year and a department staff member then observe each candidate in the classroom. An independent panel of judges from outside the department considers the application and observation scores, along with a recorded presentation from each nominee, before recommending one teacher to the Secretary of Education.

The teacher selected as Delaware’s 2027 Teacher of the Year will also become the state’s nominee for the national Teacher of the Year program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation.

Through action of the General Assembly, the state Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 grant for the educational benefit of their students and a $3,000 personal grant. Each of the other nominees will receive a $2,000 state grant.

The Oct. 13 celebration at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The Teacher of the Year announcement will close the evening. The event will be livestreamed following the dinner portion of the evening with an estimated start time of 7:15 p.m. A grant from Voya Financial and support from the Delaware General Assembly fund the award ceremony.

Meet the 2027 District/Charter Teachers of the Year here.

Howard High School of Technology senior Natacha Malave Rivera signs copies of her book, All Families Are Unique, for foster care liaisons at DDOE’s statewide meeting.

Some of the most meaningful moments in education happen when students have the opportunity to tell their own stories.

At this month's DDOE statewide foster care liaison meeting, Howard High School of Technology (New Castle County Vocational Technical School District) senior Natacha Malave Rivera shared her experience as a young person in foster care and read her book, All Families Are Unique.

Natacha wrote the book for the Educators Rising state competition, where her work earned her a spot at the national competition. With support from the Educators Rising Foundation, every foster care liaison at the meeting received a copy of her book and had an opportunity to meet Natacha and have her sign it.

Natacha already knows where she wants to go next. She plans to become a teacher.

Her story reflects what Start with Students. Build for Impact. looks like in action. Natacha is using her experiences and her voice to make a difference now, while preparing to do the same for future students as an educator.

Early literacy coaches support Delaware schools

Nine coaches. Eleven schools. Eight districts and charter schools. One shared focus: helping more Delaware students become strong readers.

As Delaware moves forward with its updated early literacy plan, state early literacy coaches are working directly with educators in schools across the state. Their work focuses on strengthening tier 1 instruction using high-quality instructional materials, using student data to guide instruction, and providing student-centered coaching.

The coaches will support Mote, Richardson Park and Johnson elementary schools in Red Clay Consolidated School District; Central and South Dover elementary schools in Capital School District; Laurel Elementary in Laurel School District; North Georgetown Elementary in Indian River School District; and Sussex Montessori, Aspira, Thomas Edison and Gateway charter schools.

This is what moving from a plan to practice looks like: putting support directly into schools and classrooms so educators have what they need to help every student grow as a reader.

Launch into Your Future Month begins Oct. 5

Delaware high school seniors are getting dedicated time to plan what comes next.

Launch into Your Future Month begins Oct. 5, giving seniors opportunities to explore and take steps toward their plans after graduation, whether those plans include college, technical training, military service or entering the workforce.

Each Delaware high school selects a week during the month when seniors have dedicated time during the school day to work on their postsecondary plans. Students will have opportunities to explore options, complete important steps and connect with resources to help prepare for life after high school.

Seniors should check with their school counselor to find out when their school is participating.

Learn more at Delaware Student Success.

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov