DSU, Red Clay School District Finalize Joint Ed Agreement

Delaware State University and the Red Clay School District have finalized a new six-year agreement that will benefit education majors at DSU and the teachers of the district.

 

DSU President Harry L. Williams and Red Clay Superintendent Dr. Mervin Daugherty signed the formal joint agreement Sept. 15 during a ceremony on the DSU campus. Also in attendance were state Lt. Gov. Matthew P. Denn and state. Rep. Darryl Scott.

 

Through the agreement, the University and the District will create a coordinated Early Field Experiences program that pairs second and third year DSU education majors with veteran teachers in the Red Clay schools.

 

Also as part of the agreement, the University will create the opportunity over the next two years for the District to enroll a dedicated group of teachers and staff members in DSU’s Education Leadership master and doctoral degree programs. DSU will arrange to hold classes at times and locations that are convenient to the Red Clay employers.

 

Dr. Williams said this new partnership is consistent with  DSU’s vision. “Pairing our education majors with these veteran teachers will be instrumental in transforming these students into the first-choice hires of school employers,” Dr. Williams said. “We also look forward to playing an important role in increasing the leadership skills of Red Clay faculty and administrators.”

 

Red Clay Superintendent Mervin Daugherty said the agreement will benefit the students at DSU and the district. “This agreement will enrich the program for DSU students by bringing them into real classrooms much earlier in their college careers and allow Red Clay to build relationships with future teachers,” he said.  “DSU students will be better prepared for student teaching, which traditionally occurs in their senior year. It also allows Red Clay staff to build relationships with students and identify potential Red Clay teachers. We are confident that this agreement will lead to stronger teacher candidates as we look to the future.”

 

Dr. Rayton R. Sianjina, chair of the DSU Education Department, said he is excited about the breadth of the agreement – in which it will benefit both aspiring teachers and existing ones. “There is no greater excitement than to support a functional partnership that advances educational opportunities for the communities within the state of Delaware,” he said.