Carper Urges Overhaul of Del. Education Dept.

Gov. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware wants to restructure the state education department and make the agency more accountable to the governor and state legislature.

His plan would allow him to nominate an education secretary to be confirmed by the legislature. The secretary would head a newly created department of education. The proposed arrangement would replace the current department of public instruction and the post of superintendent, which is now vacant. The salary for the position would remain about the same, officials said.

A second bill still on the governor's drawing board would also realign the powers and responsibilities between the new department and...