Rep. Deborah Hudson to sponsor bill to give construction $$ to charter schools
   "Time to end discrimination in public school funding," Hudson says.
   A group of legislators announced last Wednesday (May 3) that they will file legislation this session to provide state funding for charter school construction.
   Rep. Hudson has concluded that charter schools are “discriminated against” by current Delaware law. The absence of construction funding for charter schools is "...arguably designed to insure [charter school] failure,” she said.
   Rep. Hudson was joined at the news conference by other co-sponsors: Sen. Dave Sokola (D), chair of the Senate Education Committee and lead sponsor of the original charter school law 11 years ago; Sen. Liane Sorenson (R), another lead sponsor of the original charter school law; Rep. Stephanie Ulbrich (R); and Rep. Pamela Maier (R).

   Rep. Hudson said that the bill will attempt to provide charter schools funding at the rate of $750 per student for “capital needs and capital deficiency needs” such as science and computer labs. Why $750? Hudson responded only that it was "reasonable" and "appropriate." Since the money would come from the state and not local school district taxes, Hudson added that no approval by local voters would be required as is the case for school construction projects for all other public school projects, with the exception of the state's three vocational high schools.

More

Check out the member survey question at www.dsea.org where you can let us know if you do or do not favor construction funding from the state for charter schools.

Weigh in on what next State Student Assessment System should look like
An Assessment Task Force created by the General Assembly has been meeting since January to look at what changes the state might want to make to create a better student testing system. For an update, click here to open up the May issue of DSEA ACTION!, and then click over to page 16, "State testing system may change -- in two years or so."

The Task Force report is due to the Governor and General Assembly by May 31. DSEA is represented on this group by Vicky Cairns, dir. of instructional advocacy. Some members of the Task Force have put forth a chart to include items/concepts that the Task Force has discussed. The DRAFT "Next Generation State Assessment System" chart includes:
** Growth tests which are computer adaptive, 45-60 minutes in length
** Constructed response item tests to satisfy No Child Left Behind requirements
** A certain number of state-required, high school End-of-Grade/Course tests - computer based, 45-90 minutes long
** Writing assessments in grades 2-12

The proposed new system would take the place of the current DSTP testing system.

DSEA staff and leaders are discussing our response. You can be a huge help by letting us know what your thoughts are on the elements in the chart. Please review the chart and let either President Barbara Grogg or Vicky Cairns know your thoughts by May 15.

PARAS lobby at Legislative Hall

Vivian Sartori (left) and Pat Fernandes (center), Christina Paras, talk salary with State Rep. Liane Sorenson on Para Lobby Day May 2. Paras from several locals came to Legislative Hall on Tuesday and Thursday of last week to talk to legislators about the need to provide a "basic family budget" wage for paras, i.e. a starting salary of $20,000. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that to provide a basic family budget for two adults and three children in the Wilmington/Newark area is $56,436. This amount only includes amounts needed for food, shelter, clothing, getting to work and school: no savings, no restaurants, no funds for emergencies…. For more, click here.

May 9 is National Teacher Day
NEA addresses top five teaching trends and outlines 'Portrait of American Teacher'

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The teaching profession has changed dramatically over the past 40 years. The majority of the nation's three  million teachers have at least a master's degree and an average of 15 years of experience. In addition, more than 75 percent of all teachers participate in professional development related to their grade or subject area.

As part of its annual National Teacher Day celebration, the National Education Association is releasing a list of the top five trends in the teaching profession and outlining the main characteristics of a 21st century schoolteacher.

"Today, teachers are more educated and experienced than ever before," says NEA President Reg Weaver. "It's extremely reassuring to know that public school students are being taught by the some of the most talented educators this nation has seen in more than 40 years."

more…