Investing in Delaware’s Future Requires Both Resources and Accountability

Delaware has debated how to create a more equitable and effective school funding system for decades. This year marked an important step forward. Senate Bills 302 and 303 authorize a new hybrid funding formula and establish a structure for its continued implementation and oversight. The state has also committed $100 million toward the transition.

But changing the formula is only the beginning. The work ahead is to ensure Delaware makes the sustained investments needed to strengthen public education and expand access to high-quality early care and education —and that those resources translate into better outcomes for children.

A new coalition of advocates, Fund Delaware’s Future (FDF), is seeking to advance that conversation. Rodel is participating alongside other organizations and community members, bringing research and policy expertise to discussions about sustainable education funding. FDF’s September 22 launch event provides an opportunity for Delawareans to learn more and engage in the conversation.

As Delaware considers future investments, an equally important question is: How do we know resources are being used effectively?

More funding should come with greater transparency about how resources are used and stronger systems for understanding whether investments are improving student outcomes. It also requires ensuring that schools and districts have the capacity to implement change effectively, along with targeted support tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

The Delaware Department of Education’s proposed School Performance and Support Framework creates an opportunity to strengthen that connection between investment, support, and accountability. DDOE is seeking public feedback before determining how the framework should ultimately be implemented.

Rodel will carefully review the proposal and share public feedback as the process moves forward. We also believe accountability should extend beyond schools and government. All of us, employers, philanthropy, nonprofits, and other community partners have roles to play in helping Delaware students succeed.

The executive branch and General Assembly will ultimately make decisions about future public investments and how they are funded. Rodel’s role, including through our participation in FDF, is to contribute research, relationships, and resources that can help inform those decisions and the broader public conversation.

Delaware has taken an important step toward modernizing how it funds public education. The next challenge is making sure the state pairs sustainable investment with strong implementation, transparency, and accountability so those resources ultimately produce the experiences, opportunities and outcomes Delaware’s children deserve.

Related Topics: Delaware education, delaware school funding, delaware schools, fund delaware's future, Secretary of Education, US Department of Education