Jan 15 2025
Board Meeting

▼Full Transcript Below

1. Superintendent Report
   ⏯ 0:19:46-26:30

   1. • Superintendent Dorrell Green highlighted equitable College and Career programming - including AP Seminar expansion, IB participation, Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit opportunities, Pre-AP expansion, the Early College Academy (in partnership with Goldey Beacom College), and AVID. He noted increased student participation and applications, and shared that this progress will help inform the upcoming Secondary Attendance Zone and Programming Committee as it begins its work.

⏯ 0:19:46-26:30

Dorrell Green: We’re also seeing advancements and success in our Secondary School programming. Our strategic plan focuses on Equitable College and Career programming for all secondary students. We shared with the Board how we’re looking at the AP Seminar course as a foundational course for all 10th graders across the district. We’re working to increase high school student participation in college-level coursework, which is part of the Delaware School Success Framework — whether that’s students scoring a four on the AP exam, a three on the IB exam, or participating in dual enrollment courses.

We’ve seen a 15% increase in the total number of seats in college-level courses, from 2,482 to 2,858. We’re also seeing a 13.3% increase in students taking at least one college-level course, increasing from 1,005 to 1,140. We continue to stay centered on ensuring Equitable College and Career programming for all secondary students, and these are just some of the highlights we expect to continue building on. This work is also helping inform the Attendance, Enrollment, and Programming Committee as it begins reviewing career pathways and advancing college and career readiness.

In keeping with this theme, we’re prioritizing College and Career Readiness through course selection and scheduling, Early College Academy partnerships with Goldey Beacom College at both Thomas McKean High School and Alexis I. du Pont High School, expansion of AP Seminar access for all 10th grade students, and expanded Pre-AP programming for equitable access to college-level courses.

College Board representatives recently toured the district and have invited district staff to present on a national stage at the AASA conference because of the work Red Clay is doing around AP programming. We’re also focusing on community education around college coursework opportunities.

We’re seeing growth in the Red Clay Early College Academy at AI du Pont and Thomas McKean, allowing students to earn both high school and college credits. There is a clear distinction between dual enrollment and dual credit. Dual enrollment gives students the opportunity to enroll in and take college-level courses. Dual credit means that coursework counts toward both high school and college credit. We’re looking to expand both opportunities to support College and Career Readiness and give students a head start on their college and career journeys.

We’ve seen a 32% increase in overall applications, from 198 to 261. At McKean, that represents a 41% increase, and at AI du Pont, a 27% increase. Students are also increasingly selecting the program as their first choice.

The program includes a 9th grade boot camp course designed to build the skills and readiness students need before beginning college-level classes in 10th grade. The course focuses on study skills, time management, goal setting, and other foundational skills for success. Students have shared that earning up to 30 transferable college credits is a significant opportunity, especially as they learn about the cost of college and the value of those credits.

The district remains committed to supporting students not only during their K–12 education, but also beyond graduation - whether that path leads to college, career, or vocational-technical opportunities. We thank our partners at Goldey Beacom College for their continued collaboration.

There is also a direct correlation between students who participated in AVID in middle school and their transition into the Early College Academy. Goldey Beacom supports the Early College Academy and works closely with Skyline Middle School through the AVID program. This anchor partnership continues to benefit students and the broader community.

🏫Red Clay Secondary School Curriculums

🧑‍🎓Advanced Placement AP / Pre-AP?

🧑‍🎓International Baccalaureate Programme

🧑‍🎓Dual Enrollment

🧑‍🎓Avid

🧑‍🎓Early College Academy

🎬Red Clay's Early College Academy - 2024 Video

📄Red Clay Board of Education Policy 7012 Dual Enrollment and Awarding of Dual Credit