Delaware Boards Are Leading a New Moment in Public Education
Real change in public education almost always starts close to home. It begins with a conversation at a board table, a question from a neighbor, a parent asking for something better, or a group of local leaders deciding that their district can grow in new ways.
Across Delaware, that moment is happening right now. School boards are stepping into a new level of clarity and confidence, and they are showing the entire state what it looks like when governance becomes a real driver of student success.
At First State Educate, we have spent the past several years building the support structures that help boards lead well. We know that when board members have the right information, clear expectations, and strong relationships with families, students benefit. Districts move with purpose. Communities trust the process again.
This fall, that work deepened through two major initiatives that are already reshaping what is possible for Delaware school boards: Capacity Grants and Primo Scholars.
Capacity Grants Help Boards Lead With Focus and Purpose
Our Capacity Grants were created for a simple reason. School board members care deeply about their districts, but too often they are asked to make critical decisions without the tools or time needed to guide real improvement.
These grants open the door for boards to explore structured ways to use student data, strengthen community engagement, and bring more consistency to the work of governance. Boards can test new approaches with support, rather than trying to reinvent systems on their own.
The result is a healthier board culture and more thoughtful decision-making, all with student outcomes at the center.
Primo Scholars Builds Strong and Representative Leadership
Alongside the grants, FSE launched Primo Scholars, an executive governance program designed to support African American board members across the state.
This work matters deeply. Representation shapes how decisions are made and whose experiences guide the conversation. Primo Scholars provides coaching, connection, and a statewide network for leaders who want to grow in service to their communities.
By expanding who sits at the table and who feels prepared to lead, Delaware strengthens its entire public education system.
The Response Shows a Real Shift in Delaware Leadership
The interest from districts has been immediate and serious. School boards across the state are signaling that they want to govern differently. They want better information. They want stronger relationships with families. They want decisions that clearly support student learning.
Between our pilot districts and the districts that applied for this fall’s opportunities, seven of Delaware’s sixteen districts are already engaged in FSE’s governance work. That level of participation so early in the process speaks to real demand and, importantly, real trust.
Over the next few weeks, we will complete the review process and share the districts selected for this year’s Capacity Grants and the new Primo Scholars cohort. Their work will help shape the tools, practices, and structures that FSE continues to build and scale statewide.
A Stronger Future for Delaware Students
Delaware is quietly building something powerful. A modern approach to school board governance that values community voice, student results, and the belief that every district can improve when its leaders are supported.
Momentum is growing. Board members are ready. Communities are paying attention. And if the early response is any indication, Delaware is on its way to becoming a state that others look to when they want to understand what strong, student-centered governance can accomplish.
The story is still unfolding, but one thing is already clear. Delaware is ready for what comes next.
Explore more about this work and follow the upcoming announcements on our website at
https://www.firststateeducate.org and join us at https://members.firststateeducate.org
