Delaware has 36 public school districts and 164 schools serving nearly 117,000 students. The Delaware Department of Education aims to provide quality services to students, educators, administrators, and parents, and is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service. The State Board of Education, consisting of seven members chosen by the governor and approved by the state senate, has the primary responsibility of reviewing and approving regulations and applications for charter schools.
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Current Events
The Department's Activities Calendar provides users with a comprehensive list of activities sponsored by the Department of Public Instruction.
Content Standards
The content standards are presented as broad, end-point goals. For each content standard, the characteristics of proficient student performance are described for each of the state-defined grade clusters: K-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-10. Many of the performance indicators remain consistent across the grade levels.
The English Language Arts Curriculum Framework is intended to offer a comprehensive approach to the multi-faceted discipline of English language arts. The English Language Arts Content Standards are research-based, reflecting the best and most recent understandings of experts in pedagogy and the various domains included in the English language arts.
The Delaware Mathematics Curriculum Framework promotes mathematical excellence and equity for all Delaware students by providing a guideline for developing mathematical power in all students.
Science standards for the state of Delaware are presented as a K-12, (13 year) curriculum framework. The primary intent is to encourage study and participation by all students and the building of capacity for life-long learning.
Assessment
For the past several years, Delaware educators have been developing the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP), which serves as a yard stick for measuring student progress. The tests are tied to the Delaware content standards that define the knowledge required for our students to succeed beyond high school.
Curriculum and Instruction
The Delaware School Curriculum Framework promotes excellence and equity for all Delaware students. Complete school curriculum information for the state of Delaware can be found at their Web site.
Professional Organizations
Delaware has a variety of professional organizations. The links below provide access to associations that offer networking and professional development opportunities, as well as access to many other useful resources.
AAPT is the regional chapter of the American Center for Physics. Web site posts announcements of professional development and networking events in the Chesapeake region.
DCTM is the Delaware chapter of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). NCTM is a public voice of mathematics education, providing vision, leadership, and professional development to support teachers in ensuring mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students.
Delaware Department of Education Reading Cadre members can network with other educators through this site's interactive Reading Cadre WebBoard.
DFSME has a mission to connect business, community groups, and higher education with standards-based reform of science, mathematics, and technology education in Delaware schools and classrooms.
DHEA promotes homeschooling in the State of Delaware and provides information to homeschoolers so that they can interact with their elected representatives on homeschooling issues.
The Delaware PTA provides services to the local PTA units and PTA councils that it has chartered, providing them with the tools and training necessary to become advocates for children.
DTC provides teachers with professional development opportunities, in-service classes, and unlimited access to any of its eleven centers located throughout the state.
DSEA advocates for the rights and interests of its members and outstanding public education for all students. The "Teaching Tips" section of this Web site provides information on a variety of education related topics.
DTS is a chapter of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Members have access to professional development and leadership development opportunities, networking events, and a monthly newsletter.
DMC is an alliance of Delaware leaders representing education, government, business, and the community dedicated to support efforts to improve the mathematical literacy of the citizens of the State of Delaware.
DSRA is concerned with the improvement of reading/language arts instruction at all levels as well as the preparation and continuing professional growth of educators. DSRA facilitates "Delaware Diamonds," a rewards program that encourages young readers in Delaware to become better acquainted with quality literature.
Informal Education
Informal education institutions, such as museums, nature centers, zoos and aquariums, and planetariums, combine classroom learning with hands-on educational experiences. The links below provide access to the many different informal education centers throughout Delaware.
Museums and Science Centers
The Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village offers hands-on science and mathematics programs that are tied to Delaware State Standards.
The Delaware Archaeology Museum features an in-house simulated excavation pit as well as hands-on educational programs.
The Delaware Art Museum is "dedicated to developing an awareness, understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and their impact on culture and to enriching lives by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the visual arts for a diverse audience."
The Delaware Museum of Natural History offers teacher-led visits through their Discovery Room, Larry Scott Nature Trail, and Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden.
The Hagley Museum and Library is dedicated to the preservation and understanding of America's economic and technological heritage.
The Iron Hill Museum offers programs that focus on earth science, archaeology, Native American studies, natural history, and paleontology.
The Nanticoke Indian Museum's library houses a large collection of Native American books, photographs and video presentations.
Zwaanendael Museum is a recreation of the town hall in Hoorn, Holland. 20,000 recovered artifacts in multiple states of preservation are studied and carefully conserved.
Nature Centers, Parks, and Gardens
Abbott's Mill Nature Center offers nature education programs year-round for ages 3-18, adults, and families.
The Ashland Nature Center offers self-guiding nature trails across 81 acres of meadows, woodlands, and marshes. Courses (accredited by the University of Delaware) are offered for teachers during the summer.
Delaware Nature Society's nature center offers a variety of environmental education opportunities.
Delaware State Parks offer a variety of environmental education programs. This Web site has listings for programs by grade level as well as particular locations throughout the state.
The Historical Society of Delaware seeks to aid teachers and students in studying Delaware History by providing school tours, education packets, and a variety of audio visual aids.
Treasures of the Sea offers tours for school children that help teachers meet the State of Delaware Curriculum Standards.
Zoos, Aquariums, and Aviaries
The Brandywine Zoo offers a variety of wildlife and conservation education programs.
Planetariums and Observatories
Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory invites the general public to the Observatory for informal programs of general interest on selected Monday nights. Short illustrated discussions are presented on various astronomical topics followed by a tour of the facilities.
Other Organizations and Projects
A list of reading resources provided by the Cape Henlopen School District.
DSC assists and supports school districts by providing coordination of technology, data access, end-user training, leadership, and standards.
This partnership between Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and NCTM provides teachers with a series of videos showcasing classroom lessons that meet NCTM standards.
The Delaware Mentoring Council is a coalition of mentor programs, local corporations and businesses, government agencies and organizations committed to providing mentors to youth in need throughout the state.
The Delaware State Olympiad, a local chapter of the National Science Olympiad, seeks to promote and improve student interest in science education by hosting science competitions that emphasize teamwork and a commitment to excellence.
The Delaware Science Van Project assists public high school students in meeting the high expectations of the Science Content Standards by providing sustained professional development for teachers that promotes the use of modern technology and inquiry based instruction for improving student achievement.
New Directions specializes in developing math and science programs that are research-based, intended to deliver solid, positive results for all students.
Read Aloud Delaware promotes reading aloud to children in order to encourage a love of books and a desire to become a reader.
This partnership between RIF and the Delaware Department of Education provides new books for personal ownership as well as reading motivation and parent involvement activities for every child enrolled in first grade in Delaware public schools.