School's out.
Or, no. Legislative session is out, and lawmakers have wrapped up their work in Dover.
From repealing the death penalty and two bills targeting “ deepfakes ," to a $1.1 billion bond bill and the assembly overriding a veto to support retirees' benefits coverage — it had been a busy time in Legislative Hall leading into the weekend. Not too busy, though, to miss the General Assembly also sending education-related bills to the governor's desk.
In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on some updates you may have missed.
[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com . ]
Education highlights from Legislature's final week
Promises of education reform hit the floor in Dover before the session's end.
As the bills make their way to Gov. John Carney for his signature, some highlights come in student wellness. One bill looks to establish a mental health services unit across Delaware high schools.
Over three years, House Bill 200 aims to reach a final ratio of 250 students per full-time school counselor, school social worker or licensed clinical social worker in schools. The ratio for a full-time school psychologist would be 700 to 1. Total cost by fiscal year 2026 is estimated to reach $33.8 million, in combined local and state funds.
Another measure focused on free school meals.
House Bill 125 , as substituted, would require "all public schools to offer only students who qualify for a reduced-price meal, under the federal School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program, a free breakfast and lunch every school day."
And it could take effect the next school year if signed into law. Funding for the measure has already made the state’s budget, under the $242,000 designated for “child nutrition.”
This assembly also "strengthened the workforce pipeline for public education," according to a Senate press release Sunday, creating the Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Program , codifying the teacher academy pathways program and helping schools recruit.
Also in education, Senate Bill 297 heads to Carney's desk.
It would require the Department of Education to "update content standards and regulations using a non-exhaustive list of racial, ethnic and cultural groups” for K-12 education. This would include AAPI studies, as pushed by Make Us Visible Delaware since the fall, but theoretically not stop there.
The bill does not get into specifics or accountability guardrails. It does, however, start by adding to state standards in code, if signed into law.
“I’m hopeful for a Delaware where students of any racial, cultural or ethnic group can see themselves reflected in their textbooks," said Devin Jiang, co-director of Make Us Visible Delaware. "Delaware has an opportunity to stand against anti-Asian American bullying and embrace visibility for all."
Lawmakers also signaled support for the removal of Christina School District from Wilmington, nodding to the Redding Consortium's recommendation earlier this spring. That connects to broader goals for redistricting schools across Delaware's largest city .
Look out for more coverage to come on this now-wrapped legislative session.
Wilmington with fewer school districts? Delaware lawmakers signal support for removing Christina School District from Wilmington
Biden administration invests $16.7 million for marine technology — UD sees $1.75 million
Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $16.7 million in funding in a dozen awards to "support the development of innovative, new technologies and public-private partnerships" focused on sustainability, biodiversity and supporting climate adaptation.
These awards, fueled by the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, look to boost marine technology innovation.
And the University of Delaware will get a cut.
UD, alongside its partners in Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System, are recommended to receive $1.75 million, according to a press release, to "establish and develop" a Marine Biodiversity Observation Network for this region's coast.
“To tackle climate change nationwide, we have to better understand and manage our coasts,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in the announcement. “These awards will advance new technologies needed to gain critical insights into the status and health of our coastal ecosystems.”
UD: Delaware native George Thorogood receives the University of Delaware’s Medal of Distinction
5 Delaware teens selected as Bank of America 2024 Student Leaders
Bank of America announced five "2024 Student Leaders" to highlight this year.
From varsity sports to environmentalists, the class "showcases a bright future for the First State," according to the financial outfit. This summer, the same students will complete an eight-week paid internship at the Food Bank of Delaware, honing skills in leadership, practical workforce and civic engagement.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, the Student Leaders program honors 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. each year. Later in the summer, all of those students will be sent to Washington D.C. for a week-long leadership summit to learn how nonprofits, governments and businesses collaborate to meet local needs.
Meet Delaware's scholars:
- Rujula Borkar, Charter School of Wilmington — This rising senior leads her high school’s Girls Who Code Chapter, acts as a peer tutor for math and English classes and participates in a wide variety of volunteer activities, including the American Red Cross and Amnesty International.
- Ashwika Musku, Newark Charter — This soon-to-be senior is a peer tutor at her high school, actively volunteers at the Food Bank of Delaware, Bear Library and Charity Crossing, and is an instructor at CodeNinjas.
- Haasini Potluri, Tower Hill School — Potluri leads her high school’s Model UN team, participates in Student Council and frequently volunteers at the Food Bank of Delaware. The rising senior is also a student leader for the Youth Environmental Summit.
- Raye-Lee McDonald, Thomas McKean High — This recent graduate was president of her high school’s Student Government Association and founded and led the school’s Hydroponics Club. She is an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Danielle Walters, MOT Charter — The recent graduate was president of the Future Medical Professionals of America Club at her high school and a youth board member on the New Castle County Youth Planning Board. She is an incoming freshman at Johns Hopkins University.
Voting in Delaware: Early voting, mail-in ballot rules reinstated with latest Supreme Court ruling
45th reunion headed to Caesar Rodney High
Do you know anyone who graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1979?
The class is now gearing up for its 45th Reunion in September — bringing former students to Felton for a football game, class picnic and large reunion event with food, 70’s music, trivia and more. Tickets are $45 per person, according to organizers, and are available online .
Friday, Sept. 27, is the home football game. The main event and class reunion will run from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Felton Fire Hall. Sunday, there will be a class picnic at Killens Pond.
To pay via check or get more questions answered, contact Donna Wilkinson Josefowski at crhsclassof1979@gmail.com or (302) 222-0694.
Beat the heat: Wilmington pools and spray parks are now open for the summer
Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01 .
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Free lunch, mental health supports, more bills aim at Delaware schools: Education Roundup
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