Requesting The Governor Of Delaware Provide Their Recommendations For The Future Of Education By Addressing Funding, Improving Academic Performance, Standardized Testing, And School Safety And Climate To The 153rd Delaware General Assembly.
The resolution highlights Delaware's outdated education funding system, which only 8 percent of funding considered flexible. This rigidity has been linked to poor academic outcomes, as shown by a report indicating that only 41 percent of students from grades 3-8 were proficient in English language arts and merely 31 percent in math for the 2022-2023 school year. These alarming statistics indicate a pressing need for reform in educational practices and funding allocation strategies, mirroring successful policies from other states such as Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act.
HCR98 is a House Concurrent Resolution sponsored by Rep. Yearick and Sen. Pettyjohn that requests the Governor of Delaware to provide recommendations to the 153rd General Assembly regarding the future of education in the state. The resolution addresses critical issues such as funding, academic performance, standardized testing, and school safety and climate. Notably, it emphasizes the need for a review of the current resource-based funding system that has led to Delaware students falling behind academically compared to their peers nationwide. The sponsors argue for a shift towards a more flexible, student-based funding formula that allows districts to allocate resources according to their specific needs, as seen in over 40 other states.
The sentiment surrounding HCR98 is largely supportive, as it aims to address pressing challenges in Delaware's educational framework. Proponents view the resolution as a necessary step towards enacting substantial changes that would provide better educational outcomes for students. However, there may be concerns regarding the implementation timeline, as the resolution requests recommendations to be delivered by June 30, 2025, which may leave some immediate needs unaddressed in the interim.
Notable points of contention revolve around the current funding model and the broad measures required to address academic performance and testing procedures. The resolution advocates for the analysis of standardized testing protocols and school safety measures, which may face opposition from various stakeholders who prefer maintaining traditional methods. Additionally, reforming graduation requirements and increasing support for secondary education might generate debate over resource allocation and prioritization in education reform strategies.