DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Secretary

FINAL

REGULATORY IMPLEMENTING ORDER

931 Purple Star Schools

I. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION SUBMITTED

Pursuant to 14 Del C. §135, the Secretary of Education intends to create 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools. This regulation is being created to comply with Senate Bill 117 as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 of the 151st General Assembly which requires the Delaware Department of Education to promulgate regulations outlining the criteria for district and charter schools to be designated a Purple Star School.

Notice of the proposed regulation was published in the Delaware Register of Regulations on November 1, 2021. In addition, notice was published in The News Journal and the Delaware State News on November 1, 2021 in the form hereto attached as Exhibit "A". No comments were received for this regulation.

II. FINDINGS OF FACTS

The Secretary finds that it is appropriate to create 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools in order to comply with Senate Bill 117 as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 of the 151st General Assembly which requires the Delaware Department of Education to promulgate regulations outlining the criteria for district and charter schools to be designated a Purple Star School.

III. DECISION TO AMEND THE REGULATION

For the foregoing reasons, the Secretary concludes that it is appropriate to create 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools. Therefore, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §122, 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools attached hereto as Exhibit "B" is hereby created. Pursuant to the provision of 14 Del.C. §122(e), 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools hereby created shall be in effect for a period of five years from the effective date of this order as set forth in Section V. below.

IV. TEXT AND CITATION

The text of 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools created hereby shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B", and said regulation shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code 931 Purple Star Schools in the Administrative Code of Regulations for the Department of Education.

V. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDER

The actions hereinabove referred to were taken by the Secretary pursuant to 14 Del.C. §122 on December 3, 2021. The effective date of this Order shall be ten (10) days from the date this Order is published in the Delaware Register of Regulations.

IT IS SO ORDERED the 3rd day of December 2021.

Department of Education

Susan S. Bunting, Ed.D., Secretary of Education

Approved this 3rd day of December 2021

931 Purple Star Schools

The purpose of this regulation is to outline criteria for district and charter schools to be designated a Purple Star School under 14 Del.C. §135 Purple Star Schools.

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Purple Star School” means a recognition designed to encourage the successful transition of military-connected youth, which may include the development of programs that highlight the importance of military service.

“Purple Star School Designation Application” means the form and process developed by the Department of Education, which may be amended from time to time and shall be maintained on the Department’s website.

3.1 In order to be designated a Purple Star School, any district or charter school shall qualify by having:

3.1.1 A designated staff member as a military liaison, whose duties include:

3.1.1.1 Identifying military-connected youth enrolled at the school;

3.1.1.2 Serving as the point of contact between the school and military-connected youth and their families;

3.1.1.3 Determining appropriate school services available to military-connected youth;

3.1.1.4 Assisting in coordinating school programs relevant to military-connected youth;

3.1.1.5 Participating in training specific to supporting the various challenges that face military families; and

3.1.1.6 Conducting school-wide professional development that informs staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

3.1.2 An easily-accessible, maintained webpage on the school’s website that includes resources for military-connected youth and their families, including information regarding:

3.1.2.1 Relocating, enrollment, registration, and transferring records to the school.

3.1.2.2 Preparing for a move from the current school.

3.1.2.3 Academic planning information including course sequences, advanced classes, application deadlines, graduation requirements, etc.

3.1.2.4 The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children (MIC3).

3.1.2.5 Special education services, including related parental rights.

3.1.2.6 Counseling and other support services available for military-connected youth enrolled at the school.

3.1.3 A well-maintained transition program led by youth, where appropriate, that assists military-connected youth in transitioning into the school.

3.1.4 An assigned central office staff member to be the contact for the school-based liaison and military families, if a district.

3.1.5 A designated member of the school leadership team to be the contact for the school-based liaison and military families, if a charter school.

3.1.6 Offer at least one (1) of the following initiatives:

3.1.6.1 A resolution showing support for military-connected youth and their families;

3.1.6.2 Recognition of the Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month with relevant events hosted by the school;

3.1.6.3 A partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active duty military members to volunteer at the school, speak at an assembly, or host a field trip;

3.1.6.4 A military recognition event designed to demonstrate a military-friendly culture across the school community;

3.1.6.5 A public military display in the school (such as a memorial, tribute wall, bulletin board, or Purple Star room);

3.1.6.6 Military family committees or counseling groups to offer support; or

3.1.6.7 Fundraise to support military veterans and active-duty members.

3.1.7 A complete application submitted between November 1st and February 1st of the school year. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

4.1 The Department shall identify a panel of stakeholders to review the applications and determine eligibility for the designation based on the criteria in Section 3.0.

4.2 Designation announcements shall be made by the Department in April of each year.

4.3 The Purple Star School Designation shall be valid for a period of three (3) years. The first year is the year in which the school is awarded. The school will not have to reapply for the designation for the following two (2) years.