Michael Watson
Chief Academic Officer
Phone: (302) 735-4090
Fax: (302) 739-3092
The goal of the Teaching and Learning Branch is to work collaboratively with schools and districts to continuously and significantly improve student achievement.The branch works with districts to improve curriculum and instructional practice to align with Delaware standards, assists school systems to develop their capacity to implement data-driven planning and review processes in order to support school improvement, promotes innovative and effective strategies to improve instruction,and ensures that community and state agency resources are included in efforts to support and improve student achievement.
The branch focuses on improvement of curriculum and instructional practice for programs ranging from early childhood through adult education, with specific areas of emphasis on programs for exceptional children and overall school improvement.
Accountability Resources
Phone: (302) 735-4090
Fax: (302) 739-3092
This group is responsible for developing and implementing the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS), which assesses academic achievement in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, and will provide information relative to Delaware State Content Standards and Core State Standards coordinate participation and provide support for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC).
The group is responsible for the following activities:planning and coordinating the development of the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS); addressing technical issues such as scaling, scoring, and equating associated with the DCAS; operations, logistics, and contracts related to the DCAS; analyzing and reporting data from the DCAS; planning and integrating standards and assessment related in service and outreach activities for teachers, other educators, parents and the general public; coordinating assessment development and assessment linking activities with cross-state project initiatives; ensuring fairness for all students in the assessment programs coordinated by this team; coordinating Delaware's participation in NAEP, SAT and related national assessments; and addressing accountability issues related to the DCAS.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
Marian Wolak
Director
Phone: (302) 735-4180
Fax: (302) 739-3744
Email: mwolak@doe.k12.de.us
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development workgroup provides leadership and service in the areas of English language arts, world languages, mathematics, science, social studies, visual and performing arts, health education, physical education, and school/library/media and technology. Its primary mission is to work collaboratively with local school district staff, other Department of Education staff, and parent and community groups to improve student achievement.
Staff work focuses on the development of standards-based curriculum; development of instructional strategies that reflect the learning implied by the standards;support of the development of measures of student learning at the classroom, building, district, and state levels;and utilization of research data from national and state activities to support curricular and instructional planning.This work is conducted through a variety of services, many of which involve direct professional development conducted through statewide in-service activities,as well as activities designed for individual districts, school faculties, and administrative teams.
Group activities include:
- professional development programs in all academic content areas;
- development of standards-aligned curriculum and instructional models;
- curriculum reviews and related technical assistance for school districts and charter schools; and cross-departmental collaboration on projects designed to integrate assessment and instruction.
Early Development and Learning Resources
James Lesko
Director
Phone: (302) 735-4295
Fax: (302) 739-2388
Email: jlesko@doe.k12.de.us
The Early Childhood Education workgroup provides leadership to ensure that Delaware delivers an equitable and effective system of education for young children in full compliance with federal and state law. The group ensures that the interests of young children are represented in all aspects of Delaware's education reform.The group also supports the state's reading and language arts initiatives across the grades from pre-school through high school.
Exceptional Children Resources
Mary Ann Mieczkowski
Director
Phone: (302) 735-4210
Fax: (302) 739-2388
Email: mmieczkowski@doe.k12.de.us
The Exceptional Children workgroup provides leadership to ensure that Delaware delivers an equitable and effective system of education for children with disabilities in full compliance with federal and state law.The group ensures that the interests of children with disabilities are represented in all aspects of Delaware's education reform.