Policy and Practice Institute 2026

The University of Delaware’s School Success Center (SSC) and Partnership for Public Education will host the 24th annual Policy and Practice Institute on June 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dover High School in Dover, Delaware. Organized in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and the Delaware Association of School Administrators, the event serves as Delaware’s leading professional learning conference for educators, school leaders, and policymakers. The conference will feature over 50 breakout sessions, poster presentations, and Delaware TIDE talks, designed to provide practical tools for creating engaging learning environments. Topics include building school-family-community partnerships and strategies for recruiting and retaining educators. Alison Travers, associate director of SSC’s Delaware Academy of School Leadership, highlighted the event’s focus on showcasing Delaware educators’ work and fostering collaboration. The institute will include a plenary discussion with Cindy Marten, DDOE secretary of education, and a panel with DDOE cabinet members. The keynote address, titled 'HOPE Science,' will be delivered by Rick Miller, professor of practice at Arizona State University and founder of Kids at Hope. This session is sponsored by the DDOE Educator Excellence Workgroup. Registration for the event is open until June 14, with additional details available on the SSC website. The conference aims to support educators in advancing student success through innovative practices and professional networking.