Delaware’s Department of Education said Wednesday that nine schools have made enough gains in student performance to exit state-sponsored turnaround programs.
Four of the schools were in the Partnership Zone initiative, which used federal Race to the Top funds and other resources to help struggling schools throughout the state. Those schools are Dover High School in the Capital School District and three in the Red Clay Consolidated School District - Lewis Dual Language Elementary, Marbrook Elementary and Stanton Middle school.
The other five were Focus Schools, which follow state-approved plans to improve student performance. They are Booker T. Washington and Fairview elementary schools in Capital, Newark High School and Oberle Elementary School in the Christina School District and Milford School District's Banneker Elementary School.
Oberle Elementary reported a one-year proficiency gain of 33.3 percent among its English learner students from the 2012-2013 school year, enough to move it out of the turnaround program.
Oberle Principal Marilyn Dollard says the improvement at her school has improved morale of both students and teachers.
"They are ecstatic. They can’t believe that they’re hard work has produced this type of result," said Dollard.
Dollard adds the school will keep and continue to improve its data-based program of identifying students and helping struggling students.
"Why would we change what we’re doing? It’s proven to be successful with our students," said Dollard. "Are we going to refine it? Of course we are. Are we going to tighten up some pieces of it? Of course we are."
The state Department of Education says it has provided each school with funding to use toward celebrations at the school site to recognize the hard work and commitment of teachers and staff.