In August 2017, the U.S. Department of Education approved Delaware’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan for implementing ESSA-required assessments, accountability and resources for districts and charter schools. Delaware’s ESSA plan was the first ESSA state plan in the country to receive approval by the U.S. Department of Education. The Delaware ESSA plan was implemented in districts and charter schools during the 2017-18 school year.
Community engagement
The Delaware ESSA plan was developed during the 2016-17 school year with the help of education stakeholders throughout the state. An early focus on effective, meaningful community engagement helped the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) draft a state plan that recognizes local district and charter school strengths as well as additional support needs. DDOE received more than 1,000 comments through:
- Meetings with community organizations
- Public community conversations throughout the state
- ESSA discussion groups
- Delaware’s ESSA Advisory Committee (formed under Executive Order 62)
- Online surveys
- essastateplan@doe.k12.de.us
This valuable input was critical to Delaware’s state plan.
Plan adjustments
During the process of strengthening its state ESSA plan, Delaware made the following plan adjustments based on feedback and emerging research. Supporting documents have been listed whenever possible. Plan changes are highlighted within each document.
