Rachelle Engler Bennett

This summative report evaluates the High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Grant Program, assessing its effectiveness and providing recommendations. It focuses on optimizing leadership readiness, professional development, and systems for equitable access to high-quality instructional materials. The report aims to enhance teacher practices, foster culturally and linguistically sustaining approaches, and improve student outcomes through strategic program adjustments and sustained support.

This report examines the ongoing implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) across Delaware's education system. It presents findings on current adoption rates, analyzes early results, and highlights effective practices and persistent challenges, particularly concerning time allocation, curriculum adaptations, and support for diverse student populations. The document concludes with detailed recommendations for state, district, and school leaders, as well as professional learning providers, aimed at sustaining strong HQIM implementation and advancing educational equity throughout the state.

This was the inaugural meeting of the Educator Diversity Committee, established under the Educator Diversity Act signed in November 2024, emphasizing a statewide commitment to equity and representation. Key discussions focused on an overview of the Educator Diversity Act, which mandates building a transparent statewide diversity dashboard, expanding certification pathways, standardizing equitable hiring practices, and developing retention supports. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provided an implementation update across three priority areas: Educator Preparation & Licensure (discussing alternative pathways to licensure requiring portfolio submission in lieu of one MTEL, and Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs), K-12 Schools & Districts (guidelines for district diversity plans, hiring/retention strategies involving DEI officers, and mandatory diversity/implicit bias training timelines), and Research & Data (status of the public data dashboard and required research reports). The Chair concluded by outlining future planning for committee oversight priorities.

This memorandum details the Governor's FY27 House 2 Budget Proposal, outlining recommended appropriations for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It covers increases in Chapter 70 aid and Special Education Circuit Breaker reimbursement, changes to foundation budget rates, adjustments to low-income and special education enrollment definitions, and modifications to charter school tuition. The proposal also includes specific program funding adjustments for initiatives such as Universal School Meals and Rural Aid.

Key discussions during the meeting included public statements on educator preparation, Commissioner's performance goals, and high school graduation requirements. The Secretary commented on the Governor's State of the Commonwealth Address priorities, including early literacy and High School Pathways. The Commissioner provided an update on recognizing 63 Schools of Recognition and announced the appointment of a new single receiver for Lawrence Public Schools, effective January 29, 2026. He also reported the expansion of free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring to an additional 84 schools, bringing the total to 356. Major agenda items involved a discussion and subsequent vote to adopt amendments to regulations concerning the Seal of Biliteracy (603 CMR 31.04), including clarifications on transcript notations and annual reporting requirements. The Board also adopted amendments to regulations regarding Student Records definitions (603 CMR 23.02) after receiving no public comment. Finally, the Board discussed and approved the Key Goals for the Spring 2026 Commissioner Assessment, which were organized into Policy, DESE Organization Structure, Board and Governance, and Stakeholder Relationships categories. The session concluded with a brief update on the education budget, anticipating the Governor's FY27 proposal release.