Delaware’s State Highlights

Summary of Grades

Delaware matches or outpaces the average state in all four of the graded policy categories in Quality Counts.

In standards and accountability, Delaware performs well because it uses assessments aligned to state standards for all grade spans in all of the four core subjects. However, Delaware lacks some accountability policies. While the state provides assistance to all low-performing schools, it does not sanction all those schools or provide rewards to high-performing or improving schools.

Delaware’s grade in teacher quality receives a boost because the state finances professional development for all its districts and requires and finances mentoring for all its new teachers. The state, however, does not require all high school or middle school teachers to major in the subjects they will teach.

The state receives the top grade in school climate. The strength of its charter-school law earns the highest possible rating from the Center for Education Reform. In addition, Delaware has a class-size reduction program, and its average class size in elementary schools is below the national average. The state also fares well on efforts related to school facilities.

In the area of resource equity, Delaware received the secondbest score in the nation for the coefficient-of-variation measure. This indicates a low level of disparity in per pupil funding across school districts in Delaware.

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.