It doesn't matter how much you wear “red for public ed.” It doesn't mean you love public education. It doesn't even mean you stand with teachers or truly care what happens with students in our schools. It's like wearing red on Valentine's Day as your gift to your significant other. They’d take substance over style … Continue reading Love public education? Care about who runs our schools.
Why the reforms Wilmington’s kids need are sure to fail
The Christina School District board has perfected the art of pushing paperwork that produces little progress for Wilmington students. Last week, its members signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gov. Carney’s office designed to take a bolder approach to education in a district whose graduation rate has dropped each of the last three years … Continue reading Why the reforms Wilmington’s kids need are sure to fail
Are there #OptionsinDE for young professionals?
By Atnre Alleyne, Michael Dejos, Aiste Foreman, Faith Meisinger-Petit, Kate Rudolph, David Skoranski, and Stephenie Tatman Delaware leaders recently submitted their pitch to attract Amazon’s new headquarters. While the details of the 103-page pitch are largely undisclosed, the accompanying pitch video offers a simple message: “There are #OptionsinDE.” Yet, in a state that is attracting retirees and losing millennials at high … Continue reading Are there #OptionsinDE for young professionals?
Rich folks aren’t preparing their kids for construction jobs
The News Journal editorial board recently called for making Delaware a place where every student “has a fair shot at higher education.” Delaware’s elites responded with a call for more vocational education and many more construction workers. But in their demand for a focus on trades, are they really creating a system with different postsecondary … Continue reading Rich folks aren’t preparing their kids for construction jobs
Delaware is lying to its babies and toddlers
A few weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday and my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter sang “Happy Birthday” to me...in English and then in Spanish. As she belted out “cumpleaños feliz,” I was reminded that one of my greatest gifts is the opportunity to watch her learn and grow. It is a gift to see and support her … Continue reading Delaware is lying to its babies and toddlers
When public meetings are super secret
Much to my wife’s disappointment, everything that bears an organic label in the grocery store is not really organic. Likewise, much to the disappointment of everyday Delawareans who want a say in the education policy process, everything called “public” isn't really public. For example, we have “public” schools and districts governed by board members elected … Continue reading When public meetings are super secret
Carney’s first veto will make headlines. Kids need headway.
Last week, I called for conviction from Carney’s administration. Today, Governor Carney acted upon his convictions and vetoed legislation (HS 1 for HB 85) that removed Delaware public charter schools’ ability to give preference to families within a five-mile radius. This will no doubt elevate the fierce debate around this legislation to a new level … Continue reading Carney’s first veto will make headlines. Kids need headway.
How a low-income Delaware student found the “cheat code” to top college admissions
What does a kid do when her elite college dreams are being suffocated by a school system best suited to stifle mobility? How does she erase the seemingly indelible signs of inequitable schooling and resources from her record and etch her name on the registries of colleges meant for the affluent? She cheats. But she … Continue reading How a low-income Delaware student found the “cheat code” to top college admissions
What we don’t know about school boards can hurt us
On Tuesday, May 9th, with minimal vetting and less than 2% of eligible voters casting a ballot, Delaware's slate of school board members will be elected and granted the right to make decisions affecting students and families across the state. With the right smile, slogan, and signs a well-intentioned but eminently unqualified person could assume … Continue reading What we don’t know about school boards can hurt us
Why Carney’s administration should stay the course on school report cards
Governor Carney and Delaware’s Department of Education are about to make it easier for Delaware families to know how their schools are performing. But only if groups such as Delaware’s teachers’ union (DSEA) are not able to impose their will behind the scenes. The Delaware Department of Education recently sided with parents in its final draft … Continue reading Why Carney’s administration should stay the course on school report cards
Urgency of Now 