Photo: Classroom at the Sussex Academy, a charter school in Georgetown.

Five-year federal grant will support new and expanding programs while adding oversight and accountability measures

DOVER, Del. — Delaware has secured a five-year, $16 million federal grant to expand access to public charter schools while strengthening the oversight, financial monitoring and support intended to ensure those schools deliver results for students.

Grant could add about 1,900 seats

The Charter Schools Program grant begins Oct. 1. At least 90% of the money — approximately $14.4 million — will be distributed through competitive subgrants supporting the planning, opening, replication and expansion of charter schools.

Proposals will be evaluated based on educational quality, demonstrated community need, organizational readiness, financial sustainability and evidence of demand. If enough proposals meet those standards, the initiative has a five-year goal of increasing Delaware’s charter school enrollment capacity by approximately 10%.

About 19,000 students currently attend Delaware’s 23 charter schools. A 10% capacity increase could create room for approximately 1,900 additional students, although actual growth will depend on the proposals received and approved.

“Expanding opportunities for students cannot be about adding seats for the sake of adding seats,” Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said. “We have to start with what students and communities need and be equally focused on quality, strong implementation and accountability.”

Grant targets unmet educational needs

The Delaware Department of Education said the grant will target educational needs that are not being fully met by existing programs. Potential areas include alternative and therapeutic education, career and workforce pathways, rural education, dual-language instruction, literacy programs and flexible options for students who are older than their classmates or have not earned enough credits to graduate on schedule.

The initiative also seeks to improve charter school access for economically and educationally disadvantaged students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities and other groups that have faced barriers to educational opportunities.

“Charter schools are one part of Delaware’s public education system,” Marten said. “This investment gives us an opportunity to support strong educational models where there is documented need, learn from what is working, and use those lessons to expand opportunity across public education.”

Priority for underserved students and communities

Existing charter schools applying for replication or expansion funding will be judged partly on their academic performance and operational track records.

Proposals serving underserved communities, addressing transportation barriers or expanding opportunities for multilingual learners and students with disabilities may receive priority consideration. Programs offering workforce-connected education or replicating successful school models also may receive additional consideration.

State officials emphasized, however, that priority status will not allow an applicant to bypass the program’s quality, readiness or financial requirements.

Investment extends beyond individual schools

A portion of the federal award will be used to provide charter schools with technical assistance in governance, board development, fiscal management, regulatory compliance, leadership development and program implementation. The state also plans to establish peer-learning programs and professional communities where educators and school leaders can share successful practices.

The grant also calls for stronger charter-authorizing practices, including annual reviews of each participating school’s academic, financial and organizational performance.

“We are grateful for the partnership between the Delaware Department of Education and the Delaware Charter Schools Network,” said Kendall Massett, the network’s executive director. “We are equally grateful for this investment in our education system, and for what it makes possible for students across our state.”

Massett said the grant reflects “a shared vision for collaboration, flexibility, and support for the people and strategies best positioned to make a difference for students statewide.”

Schools will face continuing monitoring

Schools receiving subgrants will undergo continuing fiscal, program and performance monitoring. That process will include progress reports, budget reviews, site visits, performance evaluations and reviews of implementation milestones.

The Department of Education said it will use those findings to identify risks, direct additional assistance to struggling programs and take corrective action when necessary. An independent outside evaluator also will assess the initiative throughout the five-year grant period.

Lessons and successful practices identified through the program will be shared with both charter and traditional public schools through professional development, peer networks and other cross-sector programs.

First competition planned during opening year

The Community Funding Accelerator assisted Delaware with identifying the federal funding opportunity, determining the state’s eligibility and preparing the application.

During the grant’s first year, the Department of Education plans to establish its management and accountability systems, consult with education stakeholders and provide technical assistance to prospective applicants. It also will release the first competitive funding opportunity, train application reviewers and select the first group of grant recipients.

Details about eligibility, application requirements, available award amounts and deadlines will be announced as the first competition is developed.

To Go Box

• What: Federal Charter Schools Program grant
• Award: $16 million over five years
• Start date: Oct. 1, 2026
• School funding: At least 90%, or approximately $14.4 million, will support competitive charter school subgrants
• Potential uses: Planning and opening new charter schools and replicating or expanding successful schools
• Statewide goal: Increase charter enrollment capacity by approximately 10%, subject to qualified proposals
• Current charter enrollment: About 19,000 students attending 23 schools
• How to apply: The Delaware Department of Education will release eligibility requirements, application instructions and deadlines as the first funding competition is developed
• Learn more: Visit the Delaware Department of Education website at education.delaware.gov

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