Families considering a move to Delaware often prioritize the quality of local schools. A new statewide investment aimed at improving early literacy instruction is strengthening Delaware’s education system and helping ensure young students develop strong reading skills.
The Delaware Department of Education has announced more than $8 million in funding to accelerate the state’s early literacy strategy. The investments include a $1.9 million State Implementation Fund (SIF) grant from Accelerate and $6.1 million in Bridge to Practice grants awarded to 25 school districts and charter schools statewide.
The funding supports Delaware’s Early Literacy Plan, a key initiative designed to ensure that students develop strong reading abilities early in their academic journey—a factor that matters greatly to parents evaluating school systems before relocating.
Delaware Focused on Third Grade Reading Success
State leaders say the strategy centers on a clear objective: ensuring that every Delaware student can read proficiently by the end of third grade.
“Delaware is focused on one clear goal: ensuring every child reads on grade level by the end of third grade,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “By aligning leadership, professional learning, staffing models, and data systems around that goal, Delaware is building a durable statewide literacy system that gives every child the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader.”
Research consistently shows that children who read proficiently by third grade are more likely to succeed academically in later years. By focusing resources on early reading instruction, Delaware aims to give students the foundational skills they need for long-term success.
Statewide Literacy Strategy Strengthens Teaching
Rather than launching multiple new programs, Delaware is aligning state, federal, and philanthropic funding behind a single literacy strategy. The approach emphasizes strong teaching, effective school leadership, and evidence-based reading instruction every day.
The Early Literacy Plan also serves as a core component of the Department of Education’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes:
- High-quality instructional materials in classrooms
- Professional learning for teachers and school leaders
- Data systems to track student reading progress statewide
Secretary of Education Cindy Marten emphasized that improving literacy begins with excellent instruction in every classroom.
“We know what it takes to help children learn to read, and Delaware is putting those supports in place in classrooms across the state,” Marten said. “These investments help accelerate the work already underway so more students are reading on grade level by the end of third grade.”
State Implementation Fund Supports Teachers and School Leaders
Part of the investment includes the three-year State Implementation Fund grant, which focuses on strengthening daily reading instruction.
The funding supports three primary areas:
Professional Learning and Instructional LeadershipTeachers, literacy coaches, and school leaders will receive expanded training through programs like the Early Literacy Leadership Academy (ELLA) and student-centered coaching.
Strategic Staffing ModelsSchools will adopt team-based staffing approaches that allow educators to collaborate and provide more consistent instructional support to students.
Improved Data SystemsThe state will strengthen tools used to track reading progress, allowing educators and administrators to identify successful strategies and provide targeted support where needed.
Bridge to Practice Grants Support Science of Reading
The Bridge to Practice grants, totaling $6.1 million, are helping districts and charter schools implement literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading, a research-based approach to teaching reading skills.
The grants prioritize several key strategies, including:
- High-quality instructional materials for reading instruction
- Curriculum-based professional learning for educators
- Student-centered coaching for teachers
- Innovative staffing models that increase instructional support
Professional training programs such as AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading and LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) are central to these efforts.
School Districts Already Seeing Benefits
District leaders across Delaware say the new funding allows them to strengthen professional development and support educators in delivering high-quality reading instruction.
The Indian River School District, for example, will use its grant to provide Early Literacy Leadership Academy training across its elementary schools while expanding professional learning opportunities for teachers.
“We are proud to support teachers and school leaders as they continue to strengthen their expertise in early literacy,” said Kelly Dorman, Director of Elementary Education for Indian River. “This grant enables us to invest in meaningful, job-embedded professional learning that enhances teaching and learning.”
Similarly, the Colonial School District plans to expand science-of-reading training and improve literacy coaching in grades PreK through third grade.
“These investments create a cohesive early literacy system designed to ensure third grade reading proficiency for all,” said Katie Gutowski, Colonial’s Supervisor of Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction for English Language Arts.
Investments Reach Schools Across Delaware
The Bridge to Practice program awarded grants to 25 districts and charter schools statewide, including Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Cape Henlopen, Christina, Colonial, Red Clay Consolidated, Smyrna, and Indian River school districts, as well as several charter schools.
The remaining $1.1 million from the grant program will fund additional professional learning and literacy coaching aligned with Delaware’s Early Literacy Toolkit.
What This Means for Families Relocating to Delaware
- For families exploring a move to Delaware, the state’s investment in early literacy reflects a broader commitment to improving education outcomes.
- By focusing on strong reading instruction in the earliest grades, Delaware is building a system that supports students, teachers, and school leaders while giving parents greater confidence in the quality of local schools.
- For relocating parents, initiatives like the Early Literacy Plan signal that Delaware schools are prioritizing foundational learning skills that shape long-term academic success.