Valerie Woodruff
Secretary of Education
Delaware Department of Education, and Board Member, Mid-Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory (REL)
Valerie Woodruff has been an educator and child advocate for the last 40 years. Her passion for education began at an early age guiding her to become a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal in high schools in both Maryland and Delaware. It is a passion she has passed down to her children and grandchildren. In performing her duties as a Board Member of REL Mid-Atlantic, Woodruff believes the REL helps translate rigorous research to practical, on-the-ground action. This role is critical to effective education since practitioners need to know in concrete, tangible terms, what the research means for them-their students-and their schools.
Woodruff considers addressing the needs of English-language learners and children with disabilities, improving middle and high school programs for increased high school graduation rates, and ensuring that kids remain competitive, to be the top priorities for the Mid-Atlantic region. There is no doubt that collaboration amongst RELs can play a key role in addressing these priorities, ensuring research activities are not duplicative and findings be mutually shared.
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has "electrified" the field of public education. As Woodruff observes, NCLB has had a positive impact on Delaware's public education system. NCLB has insisted that states focus on all children, encourages well-qualified teachers, and puts a focus on subject knowledge, and teachers being able to convey content effectively to their students. However, challenges have occurred in its implementation with respect to curriculum, instruction, and the ability of underperforming schools to attract and retain qualified teachers.
As we move further into the 21st century, Woodruff's vision is for education to serve "as the great equalizer"-where states and local communities partner to harness the power of technology for effective teaching and knowledge dissemination. Areas which are critical to the future longevity of American democratic principles and ideals.
The Delaware Department of Education (DOE) oversees policy and financial support for Delaware's 19 school districts and 13 charter schools. DOE is responsible for programs for Exceptional Children and Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Development, School Improvement, Assessment, Professional Accountability, Technology Management and Design, and Adult Education and Workforce Development including prison education.
