DELAWARE- An independent evaluation of Delaware’s education funding system, conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), has yielded a set of crucial recommendations for policymakers.
This comprehensive study emerged as part of a recent education funding litigation settlement, mandated to provide an unbiased assessment of the state’s education funding structure.
The study's primary objective was to critically analyze current education funding policies, aiming for equitable provisions for all students. It involved a thorough assessment of existing funding, comparative analysis with other states, and extensive feedback from stakeholders.
The recommendations set forth by the study encompass a series of pivotal changes:
-Increase state investment in public education.
-Distribute resources more aligned with student needs.
-Improve transparency in funding allocation.
-Allow greater flexibility in how districts utilize resources.
-Regularly reassess property values.
-Simplify the calculation of the local share provided to charter schools.
-Implement a weighted student funding state funding formula.
Secretary of Education Mark Holodick emphasized the study's significance in shaping discussions on revamping an education funding system widely perceived as outdated. “We have known change is needed, but we didn’t want to move forward blindly. We needed an independent deep dive into what is working elsewhere, what our own strengths and needs are and ideas we can consider as a state to move forward,” Holodick stated.
He highlighted the opportunity to build upon the ongoing initiatives of the current administration, notably citing initiatives such as Opportunity Funding, increased early childhood spending, mental health support, and substantial compensation increases.
Presently, Delaware's school funding hinges primarily on enrollment figures. However, there's a growing chorus among policymakers advocating for a shift towards funding based more on student needs. Research demonstrated how this existing system could potentially deprive many students—especially those from low-income families, students with disabilities, and English learners—of essential resources.
Addressing the research's impact, the Legal Director of ACLU Delaware Dwayne Bensing cautioned against solely relying on research for significant change. "We really need some legislative champions right now, and I hope they take these 'recommendations' more seriously than that," he stressed.