For purposes of this chapter:

(1) “Career and technical education program of study” means programs established by the Department of Education that provide students with rigorous academic content, relevant technical knowledge and skills, and leadership development or provide students with the opportunity to participate in work-based learning and to earn a recognized postsecondary credential as well as advanced postsecondary credit or standing.

(2) “Local education agency” means a traditional school district, vocational-technical school district, or charter school, legally constituted and established under Delaware law for either administrative control or the direction of public elementary or secondary schools.

(3) “Teacher academy” means a career and technical education program of study offered in public schools, including charter and vocational-technical schools, that prepares students for careers in elementary and secondary education.

84 Del. Laws, c. 524, § 1; 

(a) The Department of Education shall update and revise statewide standards and guidelines that apply to all teacher academies throughout the State. By the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, local education agencies that offer teacher academies must submit teacher academy curriculum to the Department for approval. The Department may develop an application that local education agencies must use when seeking approval for new teacher academies.

(b) The Department shall provide technical assistance to local education agencies to develop articulation agreements with postsecondary educator preparation programs, including the Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Program [Chapter 46 of this title] and the Grow Your Own Educator Program [Chapter 45 of this title] under this title.

(c) Any local education agency offering teacher academies shall offer value-added credits to students after they complete the credits required by the program of study. “Value-added credits” includes dual enrollment classes, work-based learning experiences, and preparation for certification assessments.

(d) Any local education agency offering teacher academies shall offer a work-based learning immersion option for students to gain additional hands-on experience in classrooms and other educational environments.

(e) The Department shall offer technical support to local education agencies that seek to create, modify, or expand a teacher academy program. Technical support shall include a model curriculum to assist local education agencies in developing state-approved teacher academies.

(f) The Department shall provide written information about the teacher academy programs on a website that is readily available and shared with students in eighth grade throughout the State. The Department shall also provide annual information sessions, in person or virtually, to promote student enrollment in teacher academies.

(g) The Department of Education may adopt regulations to implement this chapter.

(h) The Department of Education shall publish an annual report with the following information relating to teacher academy participants.

(1) The number of participants statewide in the teacher academy program.

(2) The institutions or programs that participants transition into after they have completed the program, including the number of students in each institution or program.

(3) A summary of each teacher academy in the State and the number of students in each program. The summary shall include:

a. The programs offered to students who have completed their third year of the program and wish to pursue further teacher preparation for a fourth year.

b. The number of students from each teacher academy who transition to a program or institute of higher learning to pursue a teaching certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in the field of education.

c. The number of teacher mentors and the number of students each mentor is assigned.

d. The number of participants issued state scholarships for aspiring educators.

84 Del. Laws, c. 524, § 1;