Each member of the ADP Network has committed to a common policy agenda, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Highlights of this state's action plan are below. Click here to download a PDF of the complete plan.

Policies and Action Steps

1. Align high school standards and assessments with the knowledge and skills required for success after high school. (August 2005–January 2007)
   • By September 2006, review current high school standards and then revise as necessary to align with college- and work-ready benchmarks.
   • Involve high school teachers and college faculty, as well as business and industry representatives.
   • Use the American Diploma Project benchmarks and other national models as starting points for this work.
   • Solicit public input on academic standards drafts.
   • Commission external review of standards by Achieve.
   • Have postsecondary and business communities validate that if students meet the state's academic standards, they will be ready for success in college and careers.
   • Bring final standards to the State Board of Education and postsecondary governing board for adoption.
2. Require all high school graduates to take challenging courses that actually prepare them for life after high school. (August 2005–January 2007)
   • By May 2006, the State Board of Education will revise graduation requirements to define the number of courses in each content area, as well as content course descriptions, for a required (default) core college- and work-ready curriculum. Agree on appropriate opt-out provision and process. Solicit input and support from policymakers, stakeholders and the general public.
   • Identify state policies and programs needed to support implementation of the new requirements, including professional development and curriculum resources.
   • Develop communications plan to inform and engage key stakeholders throughout the process.
   • By September 2007, encourage all incoming high school freshmen to take college- and work-ready course of study.
3. Streamline the assessment system so that the tests students take in high school also can serve as readiness tests for college and work. (August 2005–August 2008)
   • By July 2007, pilot test a system for assessing academic college and work readiness of all high school students.
   • Determine the assessments to be given at the state level, including the type of test (end-of-course, end-of-grade or cumulative survey test) and the subjects to be tested.
   • Ensure alignment with Delaware academic standards for college and work.
   • Identify changes necessary to streamline student assessments across K–12 and postsecondary systems. Develop plan for using new high school exams for college placement purposes where possible.
   • Determine additional ways to make high school assessments matter for students. Consider including scores on new assessments on high school transcripts and encouraging employers to use transcripts in hiring decisions. Also consider feasibility of phasing in new college- and work-ready assessments as part of high school graduation requirements.
4. Hold high schools accountable for graduating students who are ready for college or careers, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for students' success once enrolled. (August 2005–August 2008)
   • Include results of high school assessments as indicators of school performance in Delaware's current school accountability system.
   • Make Delaware's core college- and work-ready curriculum the minimum academic requirement for admission to Delaware's colleges and universities.
   • Establish longitudinal data system to track student progress from elementary through middle and high school and into postsecondary. Share college persistence and success data with high schools to inform instructional practice and curriculum alignment.
   • Identify success strategies needed to improve the experiences students have after they arrive at college.
   • Identify performance indicators and publish high school and college report cards to highlight progress and challenges.
   • Develop communications plan to inform and engage key stakeholders throughout the process.

ADP Network Team
The Delaware Honors State Grant Policy Team will serve as the ADP action team.