Delaware Department of Education sets measurable targets to accelerate student achievement statewide

The strategic plan sets targets for literacy, graduation, early education access, and educator retention

Secretary of Education Cindy Marten today released the Delaware Department of Education's Strategic Plan 2025-2028 to provide measurable outcomes to help ensure every learner is ready for success in college, career, and life.

The plan - the first for the department in recent history - is organized around five building blocks: Bright Beginnings, Safe Supportive Schools, Great Teaching and Learning, Fair Opportunities for Every Learner, and Families and Communities as Partners. Each building block includes specific strategies, measurable metrics, and defined responsibilities across the state, districts, schools, educators, and families. Implementation is already underway statewide, with professional learning, coaching, and aligned investments supporting these goals.

"This roadmap creates a shared direction and measurable targets, and it commits the state to doing our part: supporting schools, tracking progress, and being transparent with families about what's working and what isn't," said Governor Matt Meyer. "Together, we can strengthen literacy and graduation rates in every community, improve teacher retention, and build an education system that's truly aligned to our 21st-century economy."

Among the plan's headline 2028 targets: increasing third-grade reading proficiency from 38% to 53%, expanding early education access from 25% to 40% of eligible families, raising the statewide graduation rate to 91%, and reducing chronic absenteeism to 13%. The plan also calls for 100% of K-3 teachers to complete professional learning aligned to the Science of Reading, as mandated by Senate Bill 4. The plan includes targeted strategies to improve outcomes for multilingual learners and students with disabilities while strengthening high-quality instruction in literacy, mathematics, science, the arts and career-connected learning.

The plan outlines strategies to meet these goals. Delaware is reducing chronic absenteeism by expanding school-based mental health and wellness support, strengthening school leadership, and delivering targeted services to students facing the greatest barriers to attendance. At the same time, the state is improving graduation and college-and-career readiness by investing in high-quality instruction, expanding career and technical pathways, and providing personalized academic and behavioral supports through multi-tiered systems of support.

"Strong early learning, safe and supportive schools, excellent teaching, fair access to opportunity, and real partnership with families must work together to improve student outcomes," Marten said. "This plan starts with students and families, invests in educators and school leaders as the drivers of change, and aligns our system around clear 2028 targets. We are committing to disciplined implementation and public reporting so Delaware families can see measurable progress."

Progress toward these targets will be reported publicly through dashboards and regular updates.

Learn more about the plan at de.gov/edplan.

Media contact: Alison May, [email protected], 302-735-4006