Delaware High School Newsletter Guide for Teachers

Delaware's small size means that most families have relatively few post-secondary pathways to navigate -- the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Tech, and regional reciprocity institutions are the realistic options for most families. A newsletter that addresses these specific institutions, Delaware's unique graduation requirements, and the state's college access resources is more useful than generic college planning guidance that does not account for Delaware's context.

Explain Delaware's Unique Graduation Proficiency Requirement

Delaware requires students to demonstrate proficiency in ELA and math as a condition of graduation, in addition to the 26-credit requirement. The primary pathway for most students is achieving a meeting-standard score on the 10th grade DCAS. Students who do not meet the standard through DCAS can demonstrate proficiency through SAT scores (currently 480 in ELA and 530 in math), ACT scores, WorkKeys scores, or a portfolio review process. Your newsletter should introduce this requirement in 9th grade so families have a full year to prepare before the 10th grade DCAS. Families who first hear about the proficiency requirement in 10th grade have far less preparation time.

Communicate Delaware's SAT School-Day Testing

Delaware provides SAT school-day testing to all 11th grade students. The SAT connects directly to college admission, merit scholarship eligibility, and the alternate graduation proficiency pathway for students who did not meet the DCAS standard. Your newsletter should communicate when the school-day SAT is scheduled, what preparation resources the school provides, and how scores relate to both college admission and graduation requirements. Khan Academy provides free SAT prep resources that have demonstrated effectiveness for students who use them consistently.

Cover Delaware's College Access Resources

Delaware has state-specific financial aid worth communicating: the SEED Scholarship covers full tuition at Delaware Technical Community College for income-eligible students who complete the FAFSA and meet residency requirements. The Diamond State Scholarship provides $1,250 annually for academically strong Delaware students at in-state institutions. Delaware also participates in tuition reciprocity programs that allow Delaware students to attend Maryland and Pennsylvania public universities at reduced tuition. A newsletter that names these programs and their FAFSA deadlines serves families who would not independently discover these Delaware-specific resources.

A Monthly Delaware High School Template

[Course/Advisory] Update -- [Month]
Current unit: [Topic and learning objective]
Graduation note: This course fulfills: [credit requirement] | Proficiency: [If applicable]
SAT/DCAS preparation: [If testing approaching]
Delaware college access tip: [SEED, Diamond State, FAFSA deadline, UD/DSU/DelTech information]
Support resources: [Tutoring, office hours]
Contact: [Email and response time]

Highlight the University of Delaware and Delaware State

The University of Delaware and Delaware State University are the flagship institutions for Delaware students. UD has selective admission; Delaware State is historically Black and has an open admission policy alongside competitive programs. Both institutions have Delaware-specific scholarship programs for in-state students. A newsletter section in 10th and 11th grade that explains each institution's admission requirements, Delaware residency benefits, and available merit scholarships gives families a specific planning target rather than abstract college guidance. For first-generation families, naming specific Delaware institutions and their specific financial aid programs is far more actionable than general advice about applying to college.

Address Delaware Technical Community College Pathways

Delaware Technical Community College has campuses in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Stanton, serving the full state. Delaware Tech's SEED Scholarship covers full tuition for eligible residents. Delaware Tech's career and technical programs in healthcare, information technology, construction, and business lead to specific career pathways with strong Delaware labor market demand. For students who are not four-year college bound, a newsletter that presents Delaware Tech's programs with specificity and respect -- naming programs, credentials, and career outcomes -- treats these pathways with the same value as the college-prep curriculum.

Support First-Generation College-Going Families

Delaware's urban communities in Wilmington and parts of Dover and Georgetown have significant first-generation college-going populations. These families benefit most from newsletters that provide specific, actionable college access information: FAFSA opening date and Delaware-specific deadlines, UD and Delaware State application deadlines, SEED Scholarship eligibility requirements, and the Common App timeline. Information that college-educated families receive through their own networks -- often years before their students apply -- reaches first-generation families through the newsletter or not at all. A consistent newsletter commitment through junior and senior year is one of the most equitable things a Delaware high school teacher can do.

Connect CTE to Delaware's Labor Market

Delaware's healthcare sector, financial services industry, pharmaceutical and chemical industries (DuPont's legacy), and state government employment represent the major career pathways outside of traditional professional careers. Delaware's CTE programs -- particularly in healthcare and information technology -- lead directly to positions in these industries. A newsletter section that connects CTE coursework to specific Delaware employers and career trajectories helps families whose students are in CTE programs see the post-high school plan without needing to independently research Delaware's labor market.