Equity, Excellence, and Access: Delaware’s Public School Funding Today

“Equity, Excellence, and Access: Delaware’s Public School Funding Today” is an interactive workshop designed to deepen participants’ understanding of how school funding structures impact multilingual learners (MLLs) across Delaware—and what changes are needed to better support their success.

The session begins with a presentation by Maria Rodriguez, who will provide essential context on Delaware’s current public school funding system, with a particular focus on how resources are (and are not) allocated to meet the needs of MLL students. She will unpack key challenges within the existing model and introduce the concept of Multi-Tiered MLL Funding —an approach that differentiates funding levels based on students’ language proficiency and specific needs, aiming to create a more equitable and responsive system.

Following the presentation, participants will transition into small group discussions to reflect more deeply on the information shared. Guided prompts will encourage attendees to analyze the implications of current funding practices, explore the potential impact of a multi-tiered approach, and identify practical strategies for advocacy and implementation within their own contexts.

The workshop concludes with groups sharing insights and identifying next steps and calls to action, empowering participants to move from understanding to engagement. Whether at the school, district, or policy level, attendees will leave better equipped to contribute to conversations and efforts that advance equitable funding for multilingual learners in Delaware.

Location: Lobdell

Workshop Times: 11 AM, 2:45 PM