Education

signed · Delaware · House Jul 23, 2026

HB 461: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL TAX.

This Act provides special authority to school districts in New Castle County to reset their tax rate for the 2026-2027 tax year. This authority is necessary because several adjustments to the New Castle County tax roll are continuing to be made after the completion of the general reassessment that took effect for the 2025-2026 tax year. This includes the ongoing adjudication of appeals from the assessment values set in the general reassessment as well as quality control reviews, and potential changes pending in other legislation. This Act allows the New Castle County school districts to adjust the tax rate so that no increase in operating revenue over the prior year will be realized, with two exceptions: (1) revenue increases from approved referenda; and (2) revenue equal to the 5-year average growth rate for each district. The 5-year average growth rates for NCC districts are as follows: (1) Appoquinimink, 3.68%; (2) Brandywine, 0.54%; (3) Christina, 0.32%; (4) Colonial, 1.10%; (5) Red Clay, 0.58%; (6) Smyrna, 0.31%; and (7) New Castle County Vocational Technical, 0.96%. This Act sunsets on March 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables school districts to reset tax rates, facilitating necessary funding adjustments for the upcoming tax year to support school operations.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · Senate Jul 23, 2026

SB 328: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BUILDING SAFETY.

This Act updates the school building maintenance standards to require the facilities evaluation instrument be established through regulation by the Department of Education rather than just through guidance from the Department. It also clarifies that the minimum standard of good repair facility category related to hazardous materials includes that of lead.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure safety standards and clarifies hazardous material requirements, directly protecting educational facilities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · Senate Jul 23, 2026

SJR 15: DIRECTING THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REEVALUATE THE USE OF THE SAT IN DELAWARE, ENGAGE EDUCATORS IN MODERNIZING THE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF A COHERENT HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENT SYSTEM, AND DEVELOP ADDITIONAL MEASURES OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND READINESS.

This Senate Joint Resolution directs the Delaware Department of Education to reevaluate the use of the SAT within Delaware’s accountability system while continuing to offer the SAT during the school day for students who wish to take it. The Resolution further directs the Department to engage educators statewide in developing a modernized accountability framework, explore additional measures permitted under federal law, recognize career readiness indicators such as industry credentials, dual enrollment, and work-based learning, and clarify that proficiency results are one indicator of postsecondary readiness rather than a sole measure of school quality. The Department will explore and develop a coherent high school assessment system, including a standards-aligned high school summative assessment and learning progress assessments, designed to provide timely, instructionally useful data while maintaining full compliance with federal accountability requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modernizes accountability and expands assessment measures like career readiness, strengthening educational frameworks.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · House Jul 23, 2026

HB 347: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PUBLIC SCHOOL REGISTRATION PROCESS.

This Act removes a requirement for a parent to provide a birth certificate as part of the uniform public school registration process. A parent may instead provide other proof of age or date of birth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes a barrier to school enrollment by allowing alternative proof of age, thereby expanding access to public education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · Senate Jul 23, 2026

SJR 14: DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY AND REPORT ON WORKFORCE DATA RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.

This Joint Resolution directs the Department of Education to compile and submit a comprehensive report regarding the workforce data and compensation of education support professionals for the most recent school year. The report must identify staffing levels, vacancies, average wages paid, and the number of employees earning below a $40 hourly wage threshold. The Department is further required to recommend pay scales that align with a minimum living wage and submit its findings to the General Assembly and relevant state offices by November 2, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates study on support staff wages and requires recommendations for living wage alignment, aiming to improve compensation and staffing stability within public education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates study on wages and requires recommendations for living wage alignment for support professionals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · House Jul 23, 2026

HB 313: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

This Act codifies the Education Unit in the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF). The Education Unit provides educational services to children and youth residing in facilities operated by DSCYF.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes Education Unit to provide educational services to children in DSCYF facilities, expanding educational access for vulnerable youth.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · House Jul 23, 2026

HB 267: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO READING COMPETENCY.

This Act provides that each school district and charter school must report three times a year, instead of annually, to the Department of Education, the number and percentage of students, disaggregated by grade and by individual school, identified with a potential reading deficiency, including characteristics of dyslexia, pursuant to mandated literary screening, and the literacy intervention approaches being provided.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates more frequent reporting on reading deficiencies and interventions to improve literacy outcomes in K-12 schools, strengthening educational monitoring and support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Delaware · House Jul 23, 2026

HB 12: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TEACHER ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS.

This Act creates a scholarship for students who have completed a Delaware Teacher Academy and are enrolled in a Delaware Educator Preparation Program. This scholarship supplements the Educator Support Scholarship and is intended to fill a $2500 funding gap for aspiring educators who are in their first year at an Educator Preparation Program. No more than 35 scholarships may be awarded. The scholarship will be expanded based on interest and funding in subsequent school years and will continue as funding is available.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship to fill $2500 funding gap for teacher candidates, directly supporting educator recruitment and retention through financial aid.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SCR 223: REQUESTING THE DELAWARE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO GRANT QUALIFIED MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMS ACCESS TO BROADCAST DIAA-SANCTIONED PLAYOFF AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

This Concurrent Resolution supports the recommendations made in the final report from the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association task force by requesting the development and implementation of policies and procedures to grant qualified media organizations and school-based programs access to broadcast DIAA-sanctioned high school playoff and championship games.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands media access for school sports, enhancing student programs and educational opportunities.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Delaware · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 459: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ENERGY DRINKS.

This bill prohibits the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours and at school events. It directly affects schools, students, and vendors by banning these beverages in specific educational settings. The law applies to all public schools within the state during the times students are officially engaged in school activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restricts energy drink sales in schools to protect student health and create a safer learning environment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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