Del. approves reform for four struggling schools

Some dramatic changes are on the way for four Delaware public schools.

After nearly four months of planning and community input, the Delaware Department of Education has approved plans to improve the state’s first four “Partnership Zone” schools.

The announcement was made Friday by Secretary of Education Lillian Lowery.

Partnership Zone schools have been identified as struggling schools that will undergo significant changes in their governance and operation.

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The four schools approved for reform are Positive Outcomes Charter School in Camden; Stubbs Elementary School in Wilmington; Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington; and Glasgow High School in Newark.

“The plans also represent key stakeholder commitments to offer fundamentally different educational services to the students,” Lowery said. “All four schools will now receive additional funding over two years to implement these improvements.”

The program was part of Delaware’s successful federal Race to the Top application in 2010. This summer the Department of Education will select an additional six schools to receive similar support.

“The changes will not be easy, and they will not happen overnight,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “But the fact that people worked together, taking ambitious steps to improve our schools and reached agreement on those changes, should make all of us proud.”

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