Student Assessment
- DSTP
- DSTP Online Reports (DSTP Test Results)
- DSTP General Information (Testing Dates, Frequently Asked Questions, Forms, About DSTP, Performance Levels, etc...)
- Sample Items
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Accountability
- Research
- Reports and Documents
- State Summary Reports
- Guides and Information for Parents and Educators
- Special Populations
- Special Projects and Reports
- Standard Settings
- Technical Reports
- Alignment Studies
- Student Survey Questionnaire
- DSTP Support Materials
- National Test Report Results (SAT, AP, ACT)
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
- Delaware Alternative Portfolio Assessment (DAPA)
DESS
The Delaware Education Support System (DESS) is how the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) supports continuous improvement of Delaware public education. DESS is one way the DDOE fulfills its mission:
To promote the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
Each student is at the center of DESS. DDOE activities, projects, and supports are intended to maximize educational opportunity and quality for each child in our public education system. In Delaware, this includes educational services to children from birth to age 21.
DESS has three Domains of Continuous Improvement:- Connections to Learning (Booklet),
- Teaching and Learning (Booklet), and
- Leadership for Learning.
Each domain has a specific focus for educational improvement, but impacts and is impacted by the other two domains. For example, improving student health is likely to result in improved student achievement and day-to-day school functioning. Each domain has subdomains and embedded concepts.
Subdomains are specific and targeted areas of focus within the domain. Embedded concepts are ideas that should be considered within and across all subdomains. For example, Curriculum Alignment, Assessment, Instruction, and Teacher Quality are subdomains of Teaching and Learning. They are specific areas of focus within the broader concept of teaching and learning.
Embedded concepts, such as Global Citizenship, should be considered across each subdomain. For instance, if students are going to understand how and when to use technology appropriately in the 21st century workplace, then technology must be used as a tool within the daily routine. Therefore, technology must be integrated into curriculum design, assessment, instruction, teacher preparation, and professional development.
DESS services within each domain include professional development and technical assistance. The DDOE provides these services to:-
Public school districts;
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Public schools;
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Early childhood programs; and
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Interagency collaborative projects.
DESS Professional Development services are a combination of focused, in-depth learning, practice, feedback, reflection, and expert support experiences designed to change participants’ attitudes, insights, and/or perspectives, and ultimately result in improved professional practice. Professional development programs include ample opportunities for knowledge acquisition, skill mastery, descriptive feedback, and refinement of practice in the work setting.
DESS Technical Assistance services are timely, specialized guidance, and customized support that help districts and schools, including charter schools, early childhood programs, and other educational programs, solve specific problems and increase their capacity to improve student learning. Technical assistance can be short term, such as a phone call or email exchange, or longer in duration, such as helping a school or district develop and implement an improvement plan.