An important new tool to help teachers and other education professionals address Delaware's content standards in English language, arts, math, science and social studies is being developed by the Delaware Education Research and Development Center at the University of Delaware. Currently, instructional materials addressing math and science standards are available at the Web site. Social studies and English language arts materials will be available by the end of the summer. Teachers using the system can search the database by specifying the standard they are trying to address, by grade level and even by topics of special interest to their students. Materials on the system have been developed locally, nationally and internationally.
Teachers also can submit their own materials for sharing.
Information on how to preview or obtain the material is provided, and there is information that specifies whether or not the curriculum has considered issues of equality, multiculturalism, family activities and adaptations for special education. Those using the service can submit feedback about the material's content standards, performance standards, assessment, student learning events, teacher instructional practices and environment and context. Educators can discuss the information using bulletin board postings and replies or can contact the center to arrange on-line conferences.