Delaware Department of Education

The meeting focused on celebrating accomplishments and expressing gratitude to commission members, partners, and legislative leaders for their contributions over the past two years. Key topics included the legislative progress of Senate Bills 302 and 303, the successful securing of $126 million in state funding for the new hybrid education funding formula, and the planned restoration of Division 2 funding. Additionally, the committee discussed upcoming legislative steps for the bills and received a presentation on a comprehensive report detailing the work conducted by the commission since its inception.

The agenda focuses on new business, including an appreciation segment, a discussion of recent wins and proposed next steps, and a formal review of the PEFC report. The meeting also includes a dedicated period for public comment.

The Delaware School Success Framework (DSSF) is a statewide system designed to measure and communicate school performance across Delaware. It focuses on continuous improvement by identifying school needs and providing comprehensive or targeted support based on performance for all students. Key performance indicators include English Language/Math Proficiency and Growth, Graduation Rates, English Learner Progress, On-Track Attendance, Science/Social Studies Proficiency, College and Career Readiness, and 9th Grade On-Track status. These measures combine to form an overall rating to guide improvement efforts and inform the public.

The commission reviewed the path forward regarding legislative strategy and timelines for the hybrid funding model, including code changes and draft bills. The commission discussed the implementation timeline and reviewed estimated costs for the proposed hybrid model, noting that implementation is contingent upon available funding. Formal voting actions were taken on several recommendations, including the adoption of a hybrid funding model with specific weights for different student categories, a hold harmless provision for state funding, modernization of the equalization formula, the permanent re-establishment of the commission, and a recommendation to explore local funding reform options.

The Commission discussed public engagement sessions, the role of local property tax funding in school finance, and explored options for consistent annual revenue growth. Updates were provided by the Technical Working Group regarding equalization formulas, tiered student funding, and hold harmless provisions, along with a phased implementation strategy for the proposed hybrid funding model. The Commission reviewed the legislative pathway for codifying these recommendations and previewed five draft motions concerning the hybrid model, hold harmless provisions, local funding reform, extension of the Commission, and equalization, with plans to vote on these recommendations in an upcoming session.