Latest executive order addresses face coverings, teacher accountability

Gov. John Carney signed the 25th modification to his state-of-emergency declaration Aug. 26, formalizing new face-covering requirements for children, and temporarily suspending observations for teachers under the state accountability system. 

 

The modification also requires Delaware schools to notify families if officials become aware of positive cases of COVID-19 in their schools. 

 

 

“Delawareans are beating this virus and driving our numbers down. But if we hope to get more children and educators back in school, and more Delawareans back to work, we need to stay vigilant,” Carney said. “Wear a face mask. Wash your hands frequently. Stay at least six feet away from others. Stay home if you're sick. And – whether you have symptoms or you don’t – consider getting a test at de.gov/gettested.” 

 

The modification suspends formal teacher observations under the DPAS II system until Nov. 1, and directs the Department of Education to work with educators to develop a modified system for tracking student growth, taking into account the challenges of remote and hybrid learning. For the months of September and October, the Department of Education will work with districts, charters, and educators on informal observation strategies, and ensure educators are receiving feedback and administrators are giving feedback in a new way, given the challenges presented by hybrid and remote learning.