Delaware's School Accountability, Support Plan Earns Federal Approval

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has approved Delaware’s plan for school accountability and support, granting the state flexibility from certain requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Under Delaware’s plan, schools now will work toward ambitious but realistic goals with the help of differentiated support from the state and their districts. Schools no longer will be subject to some requirements of ESEA -- formerly referred to as the No Child Left Behind Act -- such as mandated school improvement, corrective action or restructuring for not meeting 100 percent student proficiency on standardized tests by 2013-14. Schools and districts also gain the ability to refocus some funding, such as money formerly required for choice and supplemental education services, for the specific supports that best meet their students’ needs. It will take effect this school year (2011-12).

Outgoing Delaware Secretary of Education Dr. Lillian M. Lowery and Secretary Designate Mark Murphy both lauded the decision, saying Delaware’s plan will allow the state, districts and schools to differentiate interventions and support to better meet student needs.

Delaware’s plan reflects the ideas and feedback collected from stakeholders and members of the public who shared comment following a series of town hall meetings across the state in January.

“The state now will be able to implement a plan designed by Delawareans to meet the needs of Delaware students,” Lowery said. “This plan gives us the flexibility to allow data – not just whether a school meets the ESEA definition of making adequate yearly progress – to drive our decisions on what kinds of interventions and supports or requirements our schools receive.”