Delaware Education Funding Reform
Supporting Every Student
Why Funding Matters
Delaware’s education funding determines how schools can support our students, teachers, and communities. The way resources are allocated affects educational quality, student achievement, and long-term community well-being. We want to change how Delaware distributes funding to ensure that all of Delaware’s children get the support they need.
Delaware’s current education funding model, known as the unit count system, allocates resources based on the number of students enrolled and rigid staffing formulas. For example, a school might receive one teacher for every 20 students, regardless of whether those students need additional services like bilingual instruction, counseling, or reading support. This system doesn’t allow funding to follow the student or adjust for need.
Imagine two children sitting down to share a pizza. One child can easily grab a slice, chew, and enjoy it without assistance. The other child, however, has difficulty chewing and needs their slice cut into smaller pieces in order to eat the pizza. Yet instead of adjusting how the pizza is served to meet each child’s specific needs, the rule is that everyone must get their pizza in the exact same way with no exceptions.
This scenario illustrates how Delaware’s rigid funding system treats students. Some children require extra support, whether it’s tutoring, language assistance, or specialized instruction but the current model refuses to distribute resources based on need.
Take Action Today
Our schools don’t serve all students equally—and our funding system is part of the problem.
The good news? Governor Meyer has the power to act. But he needs to hear from you.
Use our easy tool to email the Governor’s Office and tell them: it’s time to invest in students based on need—not zip code.
Current vs. Proposed Funding Model
Current Model: Unit-Based Funding
Proposed Model: Weighted Student Funding (WSF)
Funds based on fixed, predetermined staffing ratios, disconnected from individual student needs.
Funds allocated based on individual student needs, with targeted resources for economically disadvantaged students, multi-lingual learners, and special education students.
Limited flexibility for schools to address specific student needs
More flexibility for individual schools to tailor resources to support student learning
Transparent, straightforward funding calculation methods
Promotes equity, fairness, and targeted support where it’s needed most
Current Model: Unit-Based Funding versus Proposed Model: Weighted Student Funding (WSF)
Current Funding Model: Funds based on fixed, predetermined staffing ratios, disconnected from individual student needs.
Versus
Proposed Funding Model: Funds allocated based on individual student needs, with targeted resources for economically disadvantaged students, multi-lingual learners, and special education students.
Current Funding Model: Limited flexibility for schools to address specific student needs.
Versus
Proposed Funding Model: More flexibility for individual schools to tailor resources to support student learning.
Current Funding Model: Complex and opaque allocation methods.
Versus
Proposed Funding Model: Transparent, straightforward funding calculation methods.
Current Funding Model: Results in unfair resource distribution and unequal student opportunities.
Versus
Proposed Funding Model: Promotes equity, fairness, and targeted support where it’s needed most.