SAELP Project Awards $100,000 to Delaware Schools
Four School Districts Awarded $25,000 Grants for Developing Models of Distributed Leadership in Middle and High Schools
Dover, Del.–February 22, 2005Four public school districts (Appoquinimink, Christina, Indian River, New Castle County Vo-Tech) have been awarded grants of $25,000 each to use in implementing models of distributed leadership in middle and high schools.The $100,000 comes from grant funds received by the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) as one of 20 states involved in the State Action for Education Leadership Project (SAELP) by the Wallace Foundation.
In 2001, Delaware was one of the original 15 states that received $300,000 in funding to focus on school leadership policy and practice initiatives.In 2004, states were encouraged to respond to a proposal for a second round of funding to expand the work they had been doing in the area of school leadership.Delaware received $600,000 to focus on distributed leadership in middle and high schools and succession planning in school districts. Five new states also received funding.
In 2001, Delaware was one of the original 15 states that received $300,000 in funding to focus on school leadership policy and practice initiatives.In 2004, states were encouraged to respond to a proposal for a second round of funding to expand the work they had been doing in the area of school leadership.Delaware received $600,000 to focus on distributed leadership in middle and high schools and succession planning in school districts. Five new states also received funding.
Interested districts responded to a DOE proposal in which they described the goals and strategies for engaging the school community in a model of school redesign that provided opportunities for all school stakeholdersto take on leadership responsibilities as well as accountability for student success. Schools within the four districts mentioned above are in the three year project include:Redding Middle School (Appoquinimink); Glasgow High School and Gauger-Cobb Middle School (Christina); Sussex Central High School and Sussex Central Middle School (Indian River);and Delcastle Technical High School (New Castle County Vo-Tech).
These schools will work with DOE for three years to implement the changes outlined in their proposal. Dr. Joseph Murphy from Vanderbilt University and two colleagues,Dr. Karen Seashore Lewis and Dr. James Spillane received a Wallace Foundation grant to conduct a research study on the work that takes place in the six schools as they work through four models of distributed leadership.
According to Project Director Dr. Jacquelyn O. Wilson, “these four models of distributed leadership will provide opportunities to engage the entire school community in a focused vision around teaching and learning.In these schools, the principal will not lead the school by himself or herself.” Added Dr. Wilson, “Teachers, parents, and community members will be asked to be more active participants and decision makers.This will be an exciting project with great promise for our secondary schools.”
“The SAELP initiative is an important part of our focus on improving middle schools and high schools,” stated Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff.“The project designs are excellent and we expect to see excellent results.”
School teams from Delaware’s 15 other school districts will be asked to participate in bi-monthly meetings where information will be shared in regard to the four pilots.All districts will be included in professional development activities and have access to information on the DOE website.
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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