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Continuing our Race to the Top

Written on: March 30th, 2010 in Education

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I would like to bring you up to date on some of the things the state is doing and how we are trying to make your family and work life in Delaware a little bit better.

Our focus is on creating more and better jobs and building a stronger economy for us all.  We can do that together if we encourage economic growth, demand a more efficient government and provide our children a world-class education so they can work in first class jobs.

We received some welcome news from the federal government recently that will help us improve our schools so that Delaware children can successfully complete for the best jobs in an increasingly competitive global economy.

The U.S. Department of Education announced that Delaware achieved the highest score in the nation during the first phase of the rigorous “Race to the Top” competition. Delaware will receive about $100M over the next four years–we are one of only two states that will receive money grants in this phase.

One important reason for that is that teachers, the business community, school administrators, parents, school boards, legislators, charter schools, and our congressional delegation all came together with a singular focus on what we need to do to improve our schools.  In short, it was about the kids, not the adults.

What’s really important is where we go from here.

This is not about the money – it is about improving education for our kids – real changes that effect students’ lives and chances for success.   This is about putting children first and making sure they have every opportunity to reach their potential.

There are four key elements of the program:

1. Higher standards, so our children can successful compete for jobs in an increasingly global economy.
2. Stronger assessments – making sure that teachers and parents really understand what is happening in the classroom and measuring student progress.
3. High-quality teachers in the classroom and principals in schools
4. Turning around under-performing schools

If you want to know more about our plan, our full application is posted here.

In the meantime, we look forward to working with you as parents, teachers, educators, business leaders and others as, together, we move Delaware children forward.

Tags: Delaware, education, educators, higher education, Race to the Top, teachers

Prescription Drug Abuse

Written on: March 30th, 2010 in Helping Our Neighbors

Last week, I announced a proposal for a new electronic prescription monitoring program (PMP), together with Senators Brian Bushweller, Bethany Hall-Long, and Michael Katz and Representatives Larry Mitchell and Melanie George.  I would also like to thank David Parcher, Director of Kent-Sussex Counseling Services, and Dr. Rafael Zaragoza from the Medical Society of Delaware for their participation.

The abuse of prescription medication is on the rise from an already alarming level. When misused, prescription drugs can be just as harmful—and as potentially lethal—as illegal substances.  To learn more about our proposal, please click here.

While developing this bill, the input that we received from doctors and drug abuse treatment professionals made it clear that prescription monitoring will be an invaluable, lifesaving tool.

However, prescription drug abuse—like other forms of drug addiction—will not be solved easily. I urge you to learn more about the problem and help lead our youth towards a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on prescription drug abuse:

• Office of National Drug Control Policy: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/prescr_drg_abuse.html
• National Institutes of Health:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prescriptiondrugabuse.html

If you or someone you care about needs help with addiction:

• Call the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s 24-hr hotline: 1-800-345-6785
• Brandywine Counseling (Wilmington): http://www.brandywinecounseling.org/index.html
• Connections (multiple locations): http://www.connectionscsp.org/
• Kent-Sussex Counseling Services (Dover, Georgetown, Laurel): http://www.kscs.org/
• Psychotherapeutic Services (Dover): http://www.psychotherapeuticservices.com/index.htm
• Salvation Army (Wilmington): http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/
• Thresholds (Georgetown): http://www.thresholdsinc.com/

Tags: Delaware, prescription drugs, responsible government