Education in the First State
December 30, 2015
Editor's Note: As we look toward 2016, this month's issue of Take Note highlights some of our favorite stories from the past year. This is an opportunity to celebrate the great work of our students and educators in 2015. Space has limited our selections -- there are so many other great stories to revisit! -- so don't consider this list exhaustive. But enjoy these highlights from 2015 and let us know what we should be celebrating in 2016 by emailing us your story ideas at [email protected]. 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 education for Delaware students.
Pathways to Prosperity expands training opportunities statewide
 Culinary arts is one of the career pathways available to students across the state.
 
New high school pathway programs are preparing students to excel in key fields that offer good job opportunities in the new economy. And thanks to state grants over the past two years, more students in each county are gaining access.

Each program was developed in partnership with Delaware employers and institutions of higher education. The Department of Education is providing curriculum support for each pathway as well as training for teachers to successfully implement the coursework. In addition, the Department is working on agreements with Delaware colleges and universities to ensure that students who complete a program will be eligible for college credit at one or more institutions of higher education in the state.

In fact, by next fall, the Governor's Pathways to Prosperity initiative will serve more than 5,000 students in at least 55 pathway programs at 29 high schools.

 
Number of highest quality early childhood centers grows
Research shows early experiences shape the brain's architecture and set the foundation for a child's lifelong health and success in school and career.
 
Christina School District's Christina Early Education Center in Newark was honored this fall as the 100th center in the state to achieve 5 Stars - the highest rating in the Stars for Early Success, the state's voluntary quality rating and improvement system.

According to research, children who experience quality early learning programs start school more ready to succeed and are healthier, more self-sufficient and less likely to enter the criminal justice system over their lifetime. Young children form low-income families or with other risk factors benefit most - and Delaware has made tremendous gains in ensuring its vulnerable children have access to high quality early learning experiences. More than 58 percent of children with high needs in child care are enrolled in highly rated Stars programs, up from just 5 percent in 2011.

 
Program better prepares aspiring teachers with year-long residency
Third grade teachers Stacy Respoli, left, and student teacher Sharnea Washington set up their North Dover Elementary classroom. Wilmington University's residency program allows aspiring teachers to join their classes for a full year under a co-teaching model.
 
A dozen student teachers are working side by side with veteran teachers all year thanks to a partnership between the state; Wilmington University; and the Capital, Indian River and Red Clay Consolidated school districts.

This year-long clinical residency approach is rare among teacher preparation programs nationwide. Traditional programs place student teachers in classrooms for only a few months and usually do not feature a team-based, co-teaching model. The success of a pilot of the program last year is confirmed by the fact that nearly all of last year's residents have been hired to teach in Delaware classrooms this year.

 
Inaugural united flag football brings competition, fun
 
"The night will go down as one of my most memorable," William Penn athletic director Sebrina Perialas said after the game. "It was such a great overall feeling. Our kids are really showing us how this is all done, with compassion and caring. What a great night it was."

Middletown High School hosted the first ever Special Olympics Unified Sports high school flag football games sanctioned by the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) and Special Olympics Delaware (SODE) this fall.

Middletown, Caesar Rodney, Concord and William Penn fielded teams.

"It was a special night and definitely the start of something special," said Middletown football head coach Mark DelPercio, who was instrumental in organizing the event.

After this year's successful pilot, plans are under way for the expansion of the flag football program to include all public high schools. The Special Olympics Unified flag football program will be structured similar to the existing football programs in the DIAA.

 
Mentoring program provides supports to new educators
Teachers new to Brandywine participate in the district's induction program
Brandywine School District launched a refreshed induction and mentoring program for their new educators this fall. The program is set up to ensure teachers have an informed conviction about what it will take to create transformational change for all students in the Brandywine School District.

Mentors and mentees also participate in more than 30 hours of face-to-face meetings and virtual mentoring sessions that include recorded classroom observations of the new teachers for feedback and discussion. The induction program was designed to meet the needs of both educators new to the teaching profession and those new to Brandywine who may have taught for a decade or more in other districts.

Initially hesitant given her 13 years of teaching experience elsewhere, Adrienne Preteko, who teachers second and third grade emotional support programs at Brandywine's Mount Pleasant Elementary, found the induction program valuable.

"This new perspective helped me to reflect on my own methods and effectiveness to push me to be the best for my students," she said.
Other Good News in Delaware's Public Schools