Education

The Problem:

Delaware ranks 6th in the nation for education spending—yet falls to 45th in achievement.
Teachers consistently report: “Too many students are entering the system already behind.”
The long-term cost of playing catch-up—both for the individual and for society—is enormous. And with job-displacing AI rapidly transforming the future of work, we can no longer afford an education system that fails to help every student reach their full potential.

The Causes:

  • Excessive and inefficient administrative overhead

  • Unmet developmental and educational needs in the most critical early years of brain growth

The Path Forward:

Early Childhood Education & Parenting Resource Program

  • Spend Smarter
    Consolidate Delaware’s 19 school districts to reduce redundant administrative costs. Reallocate those funds toward programs that directly benefit students—starting at birth.

  • Start Sooner
    Brain development in the earliest weeks, months, and years of life is critical. A statewide early education program will provide age-appropriate learning and development opportunities for every child, regardless of zip code or socioeconomic status.

  • Support Parents
    Offer parenting resources grounded in evidence-based techniques that support brain development, literacy, and emotional well-being. These programs help parents become active, empowered participants in their child’s education.

  • Improve Long-Term Outcomes
    Early education is not just academic—it’s the foundation of mental health, social development, and lifelong learning. Early detection and individualized support for mental health needs can dramatically improve student outcomes later in life.

 

Education reform must begin where development begins.
By investing in early childhood education and smarter spending, we can ensure every Delaware child has a real chance to succeed—in school, in life, and in a rapidly changing world.