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Delaware

U.S.
Rank
#43 F
Overall PPI Score: 59%
Delaware Overview
Opportunity
Innovation
Policy Environment

Charter Schools

Score
65%
Grade: D
Rank: #42

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 2022 Yass Prize Finalist Odyssey Charter, continue to grow with its dual language immersion K-12 school serving over 2,200 students since it opened in 2006. It represents a shining example of why the people of Delaware deserve more options.

Fast Facts:

Law enacted: 1995

Number of charter schools: 27

Number of charter students: 19,000

Cap on the number of schools allowed: No state cap, but districts may impose their own.

Virtual charters allowed: No

Charter Law Analysis:

AUTHORIZERS: Local districts only for conversion charters and State Board of Education for new charters.

GROWTH: There is no cap technically in the law, however districts have self-imposed moratoriums year to year. While school enrollment continues to grow modestly, and existing schools have added grades or new campuses, schools have not opened. In addition, schools must submit a new application for extra campuses, which limits expansion of successful schools, as opposed to being able to seek a modification of their charter.

OPERATIONS: The law grants charters a blanket waiver from regulations that apply to districts, but the state DOE can make new regulations for charters. Virtual charter schools are not allowed here.

EQUITY: Delaware's funding formula has consistently been critiqued for being inequitable, and in 2021 a lawsuit found it to be unconstitutional. As a result of the lawsuit, legislation is required to be passed in 2024 to revise the state funding formula.



Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)

Score
50%
Grade: F
Rank: #38

Delaware has no private school choice programs.

Fast Facts:

Teacher Quality

USE OF STUDENT DATA IN EVALUATING TEACHER PREP

"Educator preparation programs in Delaware are required to collect and report data on the performance and effectiveness of program graduates, as measured by student achievement."

This is just one indicator from The National Council on Teacher Quality, which collects and analyzes states on how well their policies and practices lead to well-prepared teachers. They collect data on state laws and regulations concerning the preparation of teachers, the policies that govern their oversight and the contracts that guide their employment. Learn more about your state here.