This Act amends Section 3001(d)(1) of Title 14 to require that the Department of Education ensure that the standards of the Delaware Stars for Early Success system are consistent with the regulations of the Office of Child Care Licensing. It also removes the Office of Child Care Licensing from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families and puts it within the Department of Education to facilitate that consistency. This Act clarifies the legal effect of the transfer of the Office of Child Care Licensing from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families to the Department Education. It also creates a requirement that the Secretary of the Department Education and the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families develop a transition plan for the transfer.

Prime Sponsor: Poore; Status: Signed

One of my proudest achievements from this past session was the progress we made on SB 103, which passed the Senate unanimously and is a awaiting a vote from the House when we return.

For far too long, Delaware has relied on a splintered, inefficient regulatory system to govern early childhood education. Under current law, the men and women who oversee our early ed programs are spread across three separate departments. Even worse, standards for pre-K and kindergarten exist in two different places.

Education policy can be tough, but this bill is a no-brainer. This bill represents a significant first step toward consolidating these positions, standards, and responsibilities into one central location. It will help us streamline and, I believe, improve education for Delaware’s youngest children.

I have always been committed to creating positive change in our education system and I would like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for helping us take another step forward this year.

Significant legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Poore during the 2015 session.

HB-184

Senate Sponsor[s]: Poore

Senate Co-sponsor[s]: Hall-Long

Establishes a method for people receiving special education services under an active Individual Education Plan to receive a driver’s license.

Status: Signed into law

Significant legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Poore during the 2015 session.

HB-90

Senate Sponsor[s]: Poore

Senate Co-sponsor[s]: Ennis, Sokola, Townsend

Requires 90 minutes of annual training on suicide prevention for all public school employees, requires all public schools to establish a suicide prevention committee and all local education agencies to develop a suicide prevention policy.
Status: Signed into law

Significant legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Poore during the 2015 session.

HB-56

Senate Sponsor[s]: Henry

Senate Co-sponsor[s]: Poore

Places a moratorium on new charter school approvals until June 30, 2018 or until the State Board of Education develops a strategic plan for the number of charter and vocational-technical schools in the state. Requires review and comment from the Mayor of Wilmington and City Council and agreement from the appropriate local school board before the state can approve new charter schools in Wilmington.

Status: Signed into law

Significant legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Poore during the 2015 session.

HB-13

Senate Co-Sponsor[s]: Poore

Requires all new school construction or major renovation to include the following features: an intruder alarm, bulletproof glass in entrance areas and interior doors and windows, and doors lockable with keys on both sides. Also, all new school construction plans would have to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget’s Facilities Management Section for compliance with these requirements as well as with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles.

Status: House Education Committee

Significant legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Poore during the 2015 session.

SCR-2

Sponsor[s]: Hall-Long, Poore, McBride

Co-sponsor[s]: Sokola, Townsend

Establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on improving educational services for blind and visually impaired students.

Status: Passed

Significant legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Poore during the 2015 session.

SB-33

Sponsor[s]: Poore

Co-Sponsor[s]: Blevins, Hall-Long, Sokola, Townsend

Omnibus update of the Individual Education Program law that would mandate:

• Provision of more detailed information on IEP rights and resources to parents.
• Solicitation of input from parents and children in the process before holding IEP meetings and provision of documents to be discussed at the meetings.
• Facilitation of parent councils to provide peer support.
• Ensuring that teachers, staff and contract employees do not suffer retaliation for offering candid opinions during IEP meetings.
• Ensuring that employment planning is consistent with Delaware’s employment first policy.
• A robust annual survey of parents and children to ensure school districts and charter schools are adhering to state and federal IEP laws.
• Ensuring that charter schools are attentive to their responsibilities and provide adequate resources for students with disabilities.
• A Department of Education report to the General Assembly on the status of and possible alternatives to the IEP Plus Computer System.

Status: Signed into law