Shupe leads education transparency effort

Thank you Delaware State News for discussing my efforts to bring more transparency to school data and help create local strategic plans for the 24 single-digit proficiency schools in Delaware.

https://baytobaynews.com/stories/delaware-lawmaker-introduces-initiatives-to-streamline-school-data-establish-proficiency,106002?

The first bill would create a “one-stop shop” on the Department of Education website consisting of educational profiles for each Delaware public school.

“It’s very important for parents to know that (data) in order to make sure they’re taking the steps they need to provide the best education for their students.”

In data Rep. Shupe provided to the Delaware State News, 24 schools saw proficiency levels below 10% for testing during the 2021-2022 school year: 22 were in math and two in English.

Additionally, 12 of the 24 schools are not receiving comprehensive support and improvement under the Delaware Success Framework Plan, he said.

“[Both bills are] intended to say, instead of making decisions based on emotions, let’s look at the data within our public education system and see where the challenges are. Then we’ll be able to help the local schools at their level receive the resources that they need in order to succeed,” Rep. Shupe said.

In his conversations with the department, lawmakers, and educational leaders throughout the state, the recurring concern is how comparing data could spark backlash and lead to unnecessary blame.

While he acknowledged their concerns, Rep. Shupe said the legislation’s intent is to “make decisions crafted on data,” so that “we can all start on the same page and move forward.”

“If we don’t put that data in a public place to have that serious conversation, we’re not going to get better,” he said.