Establishing a simple and equitable funding system is a major component of the Vision 2015 recommendations. A recent three-article series, produced by DFM News details the progress made in improving how we spend our education dollars.
Instituting an equitable and efficient funding system, following students’ needs, was emphasized in the Vision 2015 Plan, produced in 2006. Despite the state’s above average spending per pupil, our students’ proficiency in math and reading are only in the middle of the pack. The Leadership for Education and Development (LEAD) Committee, composed of public, private and civic leaders from throughout Delaware was established during the Minner administration to provide funding efficiency opportunities. The Committee also recommended how to best generate and distribute state and local education funding, calling for a new “weighted” or “needs-based” funding formula to address the diverse needs of individual students. However, their recommended savings, which direct funding back into the classroom for teachers to better support their students, haven’t been implemented as intended. Only a small fraction of the recommendations have been used.
To learn more about Delaware’s school funding system, watch the Content Delaware video School Funding Flexibility.