Lt. Governor John Carney awards $5,000 to Models of Excellence in Education schools
Lt. Governor John C. Carney, Jr. today presented $5,000 to the five schools who developed and enacted the five practices honored as Models of Excellence in Education earlier this year.
The schools honored were:
Caesar Rodney High School – Professional Development Plan
Delmar Middle and High schools – Parent DSTP Assessment Night
Gunning Bedford Middle School – Shared Instructional Leadership
North Dover Elementary School – Home-School Relations
Smyrna High School – The Smyrna High School Standards Project
The Models of Excellence in Education project was developed by Carney to serve two purposes. With education reform holding real consequences for the first time in the 2001-02 school year and the federal No Child Left Behind law taking effect last year, it was clear that much of the focus on the results of the Delaware State Testing Program would center on those schools and students that did not meet or exceed standards. Carney wanted to find a way to celebrate the schools and programs that successfully raised student achievement – a major goal of education reform in Delaware.
In addition to identifying those schools, Carney wanted to learn from their success in improving student achievement and to identify a platform for them to share their models and practices with other schools that might be looking for new and innovative ideas.
“I have visited many of the schools in Delaware over the last three years and there are a lot of impressive things going on,” Carney said. “It’s important not only to recognize those schools that are raising student achievement, but to make their methods available to other schools that might be looking for new ways to help their own students. We also want them to know that we’re proud of their hard work and their accomplishments.”
A selection committee comprised of members of several school districts in Delaware, state government, community organizations and the business community accepted nominations from school districts and charter schools across Delaware and conducted site visits at a smaller number of schools before selecting the five honorees.
A forum where the schools presented their programs was held at the Modern Maturity Center in May. It was attended by about 100 education professionals, including superintendents, curriculum directors, principals and teachers.
- 30 -
