In my State of the State address in January, I talked about the Delaware Promise. It boils down to
this: we strive to ensure every Delawarean receives the education and training to reach their
potential and compete successfully in our changing economy. The budget I signed this past week and
the initiatives established this year will bring us closer to fulfilling our promise. Our budget
invests in expanding individualized support for struggling students, better tracking our students’
progress, supporting coaching and mentorship for educators and school leaders, and growing our
successful efforts to increase access to college. We’re progressing toward improving our educator
compensation system to attract and retain more great teachers, while examining ways to change our
75-year-old school funding system to direct more resources where they are needed the most. After
decades of calls for change in Wilmington, we’re on a path toward giving the City community better
opportunities to engage in their children’s’ schools by redrawing district lines. And we’ve
launched programs that allow students to earn college credit and workplace experience in key
industries before they graduate. We’re also making strides toward giving Delawareans who are
struggling the most a better path toward reaching their potential. Our budget improves and expands
services available to combat those suffering from the addiction epidemic. As a result of a new law
and new state programs started this year, we’re better supporting youth with disabilities in
achieving successful careers and financial security.

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