The Brandywine School District signed an agreement with the state that is the first step toward receiving federal Race to the Top competitive grants.
The school board approved signing the Memorandum of Understanding” by a 5-1 vote in a special workshop on Jan. 7.
Race to the Top is a national competition among all 50 states for funding in order to develop programs to improve student achievement.
Brandywine had to sign the agreement in order to receive the funding, but would have been bound by the state plan in nay case if the state wins the RTTT funds.
The state plan calls for districts to help develop and adopt common standards and assessments, use state data to improve instruction, ensure equitable distribution of effective educators, improve educator effectiveness. Included in the plan are measurements of student growth and teacher and principal evaluations that are used to guide compensation, promotion and retention of those professionals.
Brandywine Superintendent Mark Holodick said he doesn’t know how much money the district could receive if Delaware was one of the states chosen to receive the grant money.
“We haven’t designated any programs yet,” Holodick said. “If we were one of those districts selected to participate we would look at programs that would have a direct impact on student learning.”
Districts would have to use the funding within five years, but each district will budget it to be spent within four.
Paperwork related to the memorandum was due by noon on Jan. 14. The agreement is the first step in a two-month process.
AVID
A program designed to help prepare struggling students who want to go to college has been a success, according to an update given to the board.
The Advanced Via Individual Determination (AVID) program started at Mount Pleasant High School five years ago and has since expanded to all secondary schools in the district.
The in-school academic support program for grades four to 12 is designed for students who may have only B, C or even D averages, but who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These students, the report said, have the ability to complete a rigorous curriculum but are struggling.
Students in the program enroll in their school’s most challenging classes, including Advanced Placement, but also take the AVID elective, which teaches organizational and study skills and critical thinking and provides academic help from peers and college tutors.
“We feel strongly it’s a successful program,” Holodick said. “All three of hour high schools have it as well as all three middle schools.”
