Needs identified and addressed through Race to the Top: Close achievement gaps, particularly with African American, Special Education and English Language Learner students; improve transition from grades 4/5 to 6 and 8 to 9/10; and strengthen recruitment and retention of teachers, especially math, science and special education teachers at the secondary level
Major initiatives/investments:
- Adoption of school-within-a-school model at Seaford High (Delaware New Tech Academy, Sussex Military Academy, Seaford Leadership Academy, IB Academy)
- Targeting of high-need or low-achieving students with extra support and services, including extended day and summer preview sessions
- Partnering with Delaware Technical & Community College to offer college courses at Seaford High
- Expansion of a College and Career Counseling position implemented this year to work with students and families in grades 5-12
- Opening of a Family Resource Center by September
- Investment in additional personnel for the school-within-a-school model and Family Resource Center
- Creation of Lead Teacher/Instructional Coach position in each high-need school
Other innovations within the plan:
- Create a signing bonus program for hard to fill positions such as Speech Pathologists, Psychologists and OT/PT positions
- Develop an in-district internship program for teachers interested in becoming administrators