( Dover, DE.) The Wallace Foundation, headquartered in New York City, has announced the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) has been awarded $1.5 million to continue its work in strengthening a statewide school leadership system. Since 2001, DOE has received a total of $1.4 from the foundation to focus on school leadership. In collaboration with higher education, the school districts, professional organizations and the legislature, DOE has been able to develop a cohesive system for school leaders that has since received national attention.

Beginning with the adoption of national standards for school leaders in 2001, DOE has developed policies focusing on improving the quality of school leaders. This includes a redesign of pre-service preparation programs for new principals and superintendents at the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Wilmington College. Other initiatives include the establishing of a professional development continuum for school leaders that is aligned to the school leader standards and provides high quality professional development for both new and practicing administrators.

Other initiatives focusing on school leadership include the Delaware Performance Appraisal System II (DPAS II) currently being phase in for five Delaware school districts and three charter schools. DPAS II is a national model for assessing the effectiveness of building principals, district office administrators, and superintendents. Also, twelve middle and high school leadership teams have received training in distributed leadership while eight districts and charter schools have implemented models of succession planning. Currently, Delaware has more than 100 aspiring school leaders who have been prepared to step into the role of assistant principal or principal as a result of succession planning. The state’s mentoring program for school leaders is currently being redesigned to provide stronger support and coaching for new school leaders.

"This generous grant from the Wallace Foundation is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue the important work of all of our initiatives," said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff.  "Effective leadership is second only to effective teachers in ensuring high levels of student achievement. I am delighted that the Wallace Foundation has such confidence in us."

"The Wallace Foundation approved this grant to highlight our ongoing initiatives," said project director Jacquelyn O. Wilson, Ed.D. "At the same time, they have challenged Delaware to continue to focus on working conditions for school leaders and continuous school improvement. Their investment in Delaware clearly acknowledges the work we have done but also prompts us to share the lessons we have learned with other states."

Delaware’s Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.