Advancing ideas into action and policies that ensure student success

Recently, Gov. Matt Meyer released his transition report, which presented bold ideas for strengthening Delaware’s education system, including the possibility of school district consolidation as a means of improving efficiency and resource allocation. Conceptually, the idea of pooling resources to streamline both operations and funding makes sense. As we all know, discussions about school district consolidation have surfaced in the past and largely stalled without much success. Understandably so. Change – especially structural change – is difficult. The district consolidation in Delaware involves significant complexities, the least of which include underlying funding disparities, governance challenges and the need for strong local leadership.

At First State Educate, we have participated in many discussions that delve into how Delaware’s public school system can improve student outcomes. We have been in rooms filled with tension, but we also know how it feels when diverse perspectives come together to build consensus that drives meaningful change. So, what have we learned from our work and what can the Meyer administration do to advance conversations around strategies to strengthen public education?

First, we must move beyond theoretical abstractions and toward actionable strategies. To do this, conversations must be well-informed, research-driven, and grounded in the realities of implementation. At First State Educate, we often serve as facilitators to help school board leaders make decisions efficiently and effectively, always with student success in mind. We help find the research, we provide necessary tools, and we poke holes in theoretical ideas. In the case of school district consolidation, the Meyer administration has an opportunity to be a facilitator as well, weighing the many perspectives of stakeholders in our state’s education system. We recognize that Governor Meyer and his team may face challenges as each stakeholder approaches consolidation from a different viewpoint. However, these conversations can help the administration ensure that future policies are informed by public opinion, research-driven, and grounded in practical realities – all with student success always in mind.

Second, we must bring people together, listen to diverse perspectives, and leverage the expertise of local leaders and educators. Transparency in meetings will be essential to successful implementation. Change cannot happen in a vacuum. The most effective education policies are built through collaboration among state leaders, school boards, educators, and families. By ensuring decisions include input from those directly affected, we can develop strategies that are truly feasible for Delaware’s schools.

Third, any decisions about school systems must prioritize effective governance, local accountability, and community engagement. At First State Educate, we understand that schools and districts are more than institutions; they are community anchors that shape the experiences of students, parents, and teachers. Education is deeply personal. Leadership within schools and school districts must maintain a strong local presence – regardless of the number of school districts in Delaware. School boards play an essential role in ensuring the best interests of their communities are represented. Any structural changes to Delaware’s school system should include input from school board leaders.

Meyer’s transition report presents an opportunity to ask important questions about how we structure, fund, and govern education in our state. The path forward must be rooted in practical and actionable strategies. Delaware is  at a critical turning point and cannot afford to delay conversations about how to improve public education any longer. It is possible to bring together differing opinions to advance the goal of an improved education system in Delaware.

At First State Educate, we have seen it happen. Our upcoming education convening will bring together district, school, and community leaders to engage in tough but necessary discussions about the future of education in Delaware. By creating a space for collaboration and strategic problem-solving, this convening will help develop practical responses to shifts in federal education policy and the broader landscape – ensuring that Delaware remains proactive in shaping policies that drive real improvements in student success.