Legislation Document

WHEREAS, enhancing educational equity for all students in Delaware is a prerequisite to allowing all students to meet their potential; and

WHEREAS, parent engagement and the necessary knowledge and support for this engagement are a key predictor of student success; and

WHEREAS, federal and Delaware statutes and regulations set forth standards and reporting requirements related to equitable education; and

WHEREAS, including families and stakeholders in development, implementation and monitoring of policies and practices related to equitable education is best practice as well as included in a variety of areas; and

WHEREAS, equitable education has been an issue requiring litigation in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Delaware has made both specific and a general commitment to improving equitable education; and

WHEREAS, current data continues to demonstrate large gaps in both progress and outcomes between disadvantaged students and their peers; and

WHEREAS, rates of academic achievement, access to rigorous coursework, and exclusionary disciplinary practices continue to negatively impact students of color and students identified as special needs.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that structures be created to enhance the equity of Delaware’s education system, utilizing effective family and stakeholder engagement in development, implementation, and monitoring progress towards the goal of equitable education for all Delaware students.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Delaware State Parent Advisory Council (DESPAC) be reconstituted with its original purpose, structure, and supports, and must do the following:

(1) DESPAC will serve as the statewide parent or stakeholder advisory group for Title I programs.

(2) DESPAC will be self-governing.

(3) DESPAC will monitor, advise, and report on status and progress towards equitable education for Title I students.

(4) DESPAC will collaborate with the Department of Education (DOE), on the development of Delaware’s Title I annual plan, and provide statements on the Title I plan’s adequacy and implementation, as well as other initiatives intended to enhance equity for Title I students related to adequacy and progress.

(5) DESPAC will renew Delaware’s Title I strategic plan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a stakeholder Educational Equity Council will be formed for the purpose of providing family and stakeholder input for a variety of purposes related to educational equity and be composed of the following voting members:

(1) Four members appointed by DESPAC.

(2) One family member representative appointed by GACEC

(3) One family or advocate member representative appointed by SESPAC

(4) One family or advocate member representative appointed by GACEL.

(5) Two community representatives nominated by civil rights organizations actively engaged in education equity issues .

(6) A maximum of 2 community representatives nominated by not-for-profit community organizations engaged in education equity issues.

(7) A maximum of 3 family members, self-nominated, whose students are impacted equity issues.

(8) Family or advocate stakeholder voting members as authorized by the stakeholder Educational Equity Council governance agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an Educational Equity Council will additionally be composed of the following non-voting members:

(1) One representative of the Delaware State Education Association appointed by the President of the Delaware State Education Association.

(2) One representative of the Governor’s Office, appointed by the Governor.

(3) One LEA administrator of Title I programs appointed by DASA .

(4 ) One LEA administrator of Title III programs appointed by DASA.

(5 ) One LEA administrator of programs for students with disabilities appointed by DASA .

(6) One SEA administrator of Title I programs appointed by DOE.

(7) One SEA administrator of Title III programs appointed by DOE.

(8) One SEA administrator of programs for students with disabilities appointed by DOE.

(9) One representative of the Secretary of Education appointed by the Secretary.

(10) One District CFO who has a significant understanding of the funding system impacting equity. appointed by the Delaware Association of School Business officers.

(11) A member of the School Boards Association appointed by the President of the School Boards Association.

(12) A member of the Delaware Chief School Officers appointed by the Delaware Chief School Officers.

(13) A representative of the Office of Management and Budget, appointed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(14) Other non-voting members as authorized by the stakeholder educational equity work group’s governance agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Educational Equity Council group must do the following:

(1) Be a self-governing organization.

(2) Approve members nominated for voting membership.

(3) Provide oversight for the education ombudsperson program.

(4) Develop renewal proposals for the ombudsperson program and finalize the proposals in collaboration with DOE.

(5) Appoint members to serve as majority of the ombudsperson RFP review and selection group.

(6) Provide recommendations to the ombudsperson program to improve effectiveness.

(7) Review existing equity data, make recommendations and provide public statements regarding Delaware's status and progress towards educational equity.

(8) Develop and request additional reports related to educational equity.

(9) Identify and request additional data elements necessary for effective analysis of educational equity progress.

(10) Recommend and provide public comment on the status and needed improvements to the public dissemination of educational equity data and other information.

(11) Develop and provide other recommendations and public comment that enhance educational equity.

(12) Follow through with any other stated responsibilities under the Delaware Code.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staff support for the stakeholder Educational Equity Council shall be provided by the DOE including requested data and reports.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the stakeholder Educational Equity Council shall select a chairperson from among its voting members.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the stakeholder Educational Equity Council shall report its findings and recommendations to the members of the Delaware General Assembly on an annual basis beginning January 5, 2023.

SPONSOR:	Rep. Chukwuocha & Sen. Lockman
Reps. Baumbach, K. Johnson, Kowalko; Sen. Sokola