The Delaware Education Support System (DESS) is an integrated service delivery system to support districts and schools statewide.  DESS services range from basic information dissemination (e.g., student achievement data, informational programs on best practices and instructional updates) to intensive training and/or technical assistance services (e.g., whole-faculty training in positive behavior support program, curriculum alignment reviews).

DESS service providers include both DOE-originated services and contracted services with external service groups and expert educators.  DESS services are offered along a continuum. Basic services are provided to all districts and schools.

Tier I Services include information dissemination and short-term technical assistance.  All districts and schools have access to Tier I services.  Examples of Tier I services are regularly scheduled meetings conducted by the DDOE staff such as DESS, Curriculum Cadre, Science Coalition, Social Studies Coalition, and Mathematics Coalition; district/school limited information requests such as consultation regarding program services; and one-time presentations regarding specific information or target groups such as parents or faculty.

Tier II Services include professional development and multi-session technical assistance programs open to all districts and schools.  An example of professional development is lead mentor training and an example of technical assistance is the extended time frame planning/development committees for the Delaware Recommended Curriculum.

Tier III Services are the most intense.  They are provided to districts and schools based on demonstrated need.  Priority is given to districts and schools that are under improvement status.  Examples of intensive professional development projects offered by the DDOE are Positive Behavior Support, Instructional Support Team, Reading First, and Success for Secondary Struggling Readers.  Tier III services also include intensive on-site technical assistance required by state responsibilities under Delaware Accountability statues regarding sanctions for districts and schools labeled "Under School Improvement".