The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) believes literacy success for all students requires a combination of high-quality early learning experiences, rigorous elementary instruction, and strong community support.

Recognizing the vital role of collaboration between families, educators, and community organizations, DDOE developed the Delaware Early Literacy Plan. This comprehensive framework provides a roadmap for stakeholders to work collectively toward improving literacy outcomes for all Delaware students.

Plan components

Strategic intents

The Delaware Literacy Plan establishes a consistent voice and focuses DDOE support around four strategic intents necessary for literacy success:

  • Align Core Instruction to the Standards
  • Implement Curriculum using High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)
  • Enhance Early Literacy Instruction
  • Support Educators through Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs)

Key activities

Each strategic intent includes key activities, or action steps, for teachers, school leaders, and partners.

  • Elementary Teachers: Those primarily responsible for literacy instruction aligned to grade-level standards.
  • Leaders: Those responsible for supporting literacy instruction, including building, district and charter administrators, instructional and literacy coaches, curriculum directors, and teacher leaders.
  • Partners: Stakeholders that support literacy instruction efforts, including the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), community and civic  organizations, public and private literacy experts, and institutes of higher education (IHEs).

Family Resources

The family is a child’s first teacher. Although the Delaware Early Literacy Plan was developed to address strategies for elementary school-aged students, each strategic intent also includes resources for families to use to support their children along the way. The focus on child development beginning from birth is integral to their success as future readers.

DDOE Commitment

DDOE will,

  • Provide guidance and support to districts and schools.
  • Increase professional development opportunities.
  • Develop tools to support educators in eliminating achievement gaps and increasing learning across the curriculum for all students in Delaware.
  • Increase collaboration among stakeholders.
  • Engage families in supporting literacy.

Community Resources

  • Parent Information Center (PIC) of Delaware – Provide information and support about literacy and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for Delaware families to help them access related information and resources for their children.
  • Delaware Readiness Team – A statewide initiative of volunteer based teams that strengthens communities at a local level and help children from birth through age eight get ready for school and life.
  • United Way DE/Campaign for Grade Level Reading – A collaborative effort by community partners, government agencies and business leaders to ensure that more children in low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career, and active citizenship.
  • Delaware Libraries – Provides library programs for adults, teens, children and families. Supports DDOE Summer Learning through the summer library challenge and provides FREE books for children birth up to 5 through the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program.