Delaware
U.S.
Rank
Rank
#45
Overall PPI Score: 59.7%
The Tiny State is in a quandary. With the 11th weakest charter law in the nation and self-imposed moratoriums on the creation of new charter schools, a state funding formula that is unconstitutional and huge education achievement gaps, it's no wonder enrollment is declining and its State Capital and biggest city, Wilmington, has fully one third of students in private schools. Despite the presence of great schools like Odyssey Charter, a 2023 Yass Prize Finalist, which was approved before the state's decline, Delaware fails the parent power test.
Opportunity
Innovation
Policy Environment
Charter Schools
Score
65%
Grade: D
Rank: #39
Once home to an ambitious statewide charter movement, district-imposed moratoriums have cut growth in most communities and stunted available options and as such, Delaware has the eleventh weakest charter law in the nation. Despite that, bright spots like the...
Transformational Learning
Score
72%
Grade: C
Rank: #43
Students in Delaware can partake in dual enrollment and CTE programming, and the state budget created a to expand employer participation in youth employment programs and secondary work-based learning. While there’s no formal Innovation Schools/Zones and the...
Leadership
Despite teaching middle school math at a charter school, Mike Meyers is a staunch opponent of education freedom and parental rights. While running for office in 2024, Meyers called “vouchers” dangerous. Despite charters such as Odyssey Charter School providing...
Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)
Score
50%
Grade: F
Rank: #46
Delaware has no private school choice programs.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thanks to bold state efforts, one in five students now have access to expansive opportunities for a myriad of learning approaches across public and private sectors, with more than 20 million eligible — a 60% increase in just two years!
Transparency
Delaware’s school report card is easily accessible on the Department of Education homepage on the main carousel and via the “School Performance” tab. The report card is user-friendly, and gives you the option to view a quick, high-level snapshot, or click the...
Teacher Quality
One of many data points to assess whether a state has the right policies in place to ensure teacher quality is the "use of student achievement data in teacher preparation accountability." How empty or full the fuel tank above is will give you the answer for your state.
Fast Facts:
4th Grade Math Proficiency: 25%
8th Grade Math Proficiency: 18%
4th Grade Reading Proficiency: 25%
8th Grade Reading Proficiency: 24%
Average SAT Score: 958 / 1600
Average ACT Score: 24.8 / 36
Graduation Rate: 87.8%
Constitutional Issues
"The Delaware Constitution contains both a Compelled Support Clause and a Blaine Amendment. The restrictive interpretation of the latter by Delaware state courts makes [choice programs] problematic." (Institute for Justice)