Saving Delaware Kids Is Our Responsibility
By Nancy Mercante, Guest Contributor
What will the future hold for our kids, grandkids, and especially those who live in poverty in Delaware?
Are any of us happy that student performance in Delaware ranks fourth from the bottom in national testing? On the contrary, this is an embarrassment and a disgrace to deprive Delaware’s children of a good education. Think about it: 49th in eight grade math and reading scores are at a 27-year low with 41% reading below basic proficiency. In a 2025 survey, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that four out of five managers say high school students are unprepared to enter the workforce.
The problems begin in the lower grades and become critical and hard to overcome by fourth grade. Since 2013, this group has lost more than 30 points and ranks 49th in the nation. Compare this to Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the nation, which leapfrogged over Delaware during the same period.
Far too many Delawareans don’t know these facts. That’s why later this month we will launch a state-wide “Wake Up Delaware” campaign. Nothing will change until more people, especially parents, understand how serious the problem is.
Truth is that school boards tackle many vital issues plaquing education today, but they can and should elevate academic outcomes to the highest order of business. That’s the whole purpose of schools, isn’t it? We need people who feel passionate about giving kids a better education to run for their school board.
Boards have a vital oversight role that includes setting education policies, approving multi-million-dollar budgets and above all, holding superintendents accountable for delivering improved academic outcomes. Board members serve as liaisons between the education system and the people who are its customers.
I’m not going to kid you – it requires work to get candidates up to speed and know how to work effectively with other members who may have different views. The good news is that Citizens for Delaware Schools is creating a network of useful resources to ease candidates into the role.
Thirty-four seats are up for election across the state in May. With the March 6 filing deadline looming, we need more people to run so we voters have choices. Our Republic depends on this kind of local civic involvement from citizens. If this role is not for you, print out this recruitment flyer and hand them to friends, family or associates saying, “I think you’d be good at this.”
Equally important, we the people – parents, grandparents, taxpayers, teachers, you, me – must step up big time to be part of the solution. One way is to insist that school boards lead differently and put all children on the path to academic excellence. Another is to get informed and step up in small but meaningful ways: Monitor and speak up at school board meetings; sign up to get our newsletter; read our online Voter Guide before you go vote on May 13.
This fight is not about blame or numbers. It’s about saving lives. Think about your kids or grandkids, and all children in public schools who might be lost in a system that is broken. They matter. Let’s stand up for them while there’s still time and help them find their way to the American Dream.
Nancy Mercante had a career in corporate communications for major companies in the financial, pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. She founded Citizens for Delaware Schools, a nonpartisan nonprofit, two years ago to advocate for a better education for every student in Delaware.