ACE Homepage

"Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing
that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

*** NEW! ***
Ensuring a Relevant and Reliable DSTP ... Transparency in Test Vendor Selection
Keep your eyes toward Dover as the Dept. of Education finds a new test vendor for its standardized state test. [click here]

What is ACE?

Advocates for Children's Education (ACE) was formed in 2001 by a grassroots group of parents who are concerned with public education in Delaware.

Our goal has been to raise awareness about issues in the public school system so that parents and others can be more involved in educational policies and decisions that affect children. ACE supports the continuous improvement of public education in Delaware and encourages all parents to become involved.

Remember: WE ARE THE PUBLIC IN "PUBLIC EDUCATION."

In 2002, President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act which makes students' test performances the main factor in how schools are rated. Here in Delaware, the DSTP is now used as one of the measures for student achievement. Up until now, the DSTP was unfairly used as the ONLY measure of student achievement.

Since 2001, thousands of Delaware parents and families from all over the state of Delaware formed a groundswell of public opinion against high-stakes testing and the inequities of the Three-Tiered Diploma. Information sent out through email and letter-writing campaigns brought these persistent concerns to the attention of our legislative leaders in Dover. As a result, ACE has influenced several key changes in education legislation, such as:

1. Multiple measures are now being considered along with DSTP scores to measure academic performance for 3rd and 5th graders.
(Previous legislation only counted the DSTP score as the single measurement for a student's academic performance for the entire year.)

2. The Three-Tiered Diploma for high school graduates is being phased out.
(Previous legislation would have awarded students either a Basic, Standard, or Distinguished Diploma.)

3. The DSTP is no longer being used as a single indicator to determine graduation.
(Previous legislation would have ONLY counted the student's score on the 10th grade DSTP to determine which of the three-tiered diplomas he/she will receive upon graduation.)

4. Continued dialogue regarding the flaws of the current accountability system has brought about calls for change in aligning each district's curriculum with the State Education curriculum so that all students are being taught the same material.

These changes would never have taken place were it not for the tireless efforts of concerned parents all across Delaware. Please stay vigilant, and stay involved. Our children's education depends on it!

NEW!
Ensuring a Relevant and Reliable DSTP ... Transparency in Test Vendor Selection
Keep your eyes toward Dover as the Dept. of Education finds a new test vendor for its standardized state test!

Please consider joining our email list so that you can receive up-to-date information on current issues that affect public education in our state.

For further information, contact:

Yvonne Johnson, ACE Co-Chair
(302) 998-4744
yvonne_johnson@verizon.net

Rhonda Shulman-Lattin, ACE Co-Chair
(302) 479-9789
acemaven0131@aol.com

Last updated: 03/14/2007

No. of visitors since 1/2004
Hit Counter