Governor Markell has announced the creation of the Delaware Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Advisory Committee by executive order at the beginning of this school year to help with the plan states are required to submit to the U.S. Department of Education under ESSA. Appoquinimink School District Superintendent Matt Burrows, who currently leads the statewide superintendents’ association, will chair the committee, which is made up of educators, parents, community activists, legislators, and leaders of education organizations throughout the state.

Meetings will occur in Legislative Hall in Dover at 6pm and are initially scheduled for the following dates:

• Wednesday October 19, 2016
• Thursday November 17, 2016
• Wednesday January 11, 2017

The Committee will help support a broad engagement being done by the Delaware Department of Education to receive a wide range of feedback during development of the state plan. The Department has begun a series of Community Conversations during which teachers, administrators, and others offer input on specific questions the state must address under its ESSA plan. Two other discussion groups were also created, as well as an ESSA Website and email for the public to provide input and complete surveys.