Delaware announces Early Literacy Plan to strengthen classroom instruction

Governor Matt Meyer and Secretary of Education Cindy Marten today launched the Delaware Early Literacy Plan- a statewide effort to ensure every student reads on grade level by the end of third grade.

Announced during the opening session of today's statewide educator professional learning day, the plan outlines enhanced supports and resources so every learner receives clear and consistent instruction and every K-3 classroom uses strong, research-based reading materials and early checks to spot challenges.

This initiative marks a turning point in Delaware education.

A New Chapter for Delaware's Children

"Delaware's students-and the educators who serve them-deserve better reading supports in every K-3 classroom, every day. This plan is the how: strong daily instruction; protected time and coaching for teachers; teams that put more adults with kids; and families as full-time partners," Marten said. "My team and I will be in classrooms, shoulder-to-shoulder with educators and school leaders, to celebrate what's working and help where it's hard. We can do this, we must do this, and we will do this-together."

Governor Meyer's FY2026 budget includes $8 million for early literacy investment and $3 million in teacher-selected classroom literacy resources-one of the largest early reading investments in state history.

"When I declared a literacy emergency, it wasn't to make headlines, it was to make change," Governor Meyer said. "Delaware students deserve better and so do our teachers. For too long we've talked about what's not working. Now we are focusing on what works. This plan gives our teachers and school leaders the tools to deliver real, lasting results."

Marten said the plan gives educators the structure, materials, and coaching they value.

"This is not another slogan or quick fix. This is not about asking teachers to do more," Marten said. "This plan is about daily practice-what happens in every K-3 classroom, every day. Delaware is building the system our teachers and students have always deserved: strong materials, sustained coaching, time to plan, and belief in every child's potential."

The Delaware Early Literacy Plan centers on four statewide priorities:

1. Access to Meaningful, Grade-Level Instruction - As required by legislation and regulation, every K-3 classroom will use high-quality instructional materials aligned to the Science of Reading. Students will receive universal reading screeners three times a year, and teachers will use quick, classroom-based checks to adjust instruction in real time.
2. Sustained, Job-Embedded Professional Learning - All early literacy educators will complete training such as LETRS, AIM Pathways, or Early Literacy Leadership Academy (ELLA) and receive ongoing coaching tied directly to their daily lessons. These trainings support teachers in analyzing student work, strengthening classroom instruction, and reducing the need for interventions.
3. Strategic Staffing and Enabling Conditions - The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) will support schools in piloting team-teaching models that pair multiple educators with shared students to increase individualized support. Principals and literacy leaders will receive direct coaching, and DDOE teams will conduct statewide site visits to celebrate bright spots, identify barriers, and follow through with concrete plans.
4. Family Engagement and Student Supports - Families will receive a statewide Family Literacy Toolkit-with book lists, nightly reading ideas, and multi-language resources connecting home to school.

Investing in People

Marten emphasized that this plan is about building capacity: "Delaware is investing in its people-our educators, our leaders, our families-to do what we know will make a measurable, lasting change."

Marten also promised that she and her team will be in schools, side-by-side with teachers, coaches, and school leaders to support, celebrate, and sustain progress by following through with action and support for principals and teacher leaders.

Additional actions include:

• DDOE will host the Delaware AI in Education Summit on Nov. 8 to explore safe, classroom-ready tools that reduce teacher burden and personalize learning-reinforcing, not replacing, great instruction.
• The state also will fund 25 Reading Assist tutors in the highest-need schools to provide additional practice aligned to classroom lessons.
• Last month Marten announced up to $7.2 million available to districts and charter schools for Bridge to Practice grants. Part of Meyer's $8 million statewide literacy investment, the competitive grants will help districts and charter schools implement evidence-based literacy practices grounded in the Science of Reading. This funding focuses on what matters most: adoption and skillful use of high-quality classroom instructional materials, sustained professional learning and student-centered coaching for educators, and innovative staffing models that increase student engagement and success.
• Through a new partnership with DonorsChoose, teachers can order up to $750 in literacy materials directly for their classrooms. Delaware educators helped design and curate the bundles of literacy supplies and materials, ensuring every classroom gets what it truly needs.

"Delaware teachers know their students best," Marten said. "They also know what resources would be most helpful for their classrooms and students."

Said Stephanie Ingram, president of the Delaware State Education Association: "Students flourish when professional educators are given the time, resources, and support to meet the needs of every child. I want to thank Governor Meyer and Secretary Marten for making literacy instruction a priority for this administration and then working with teachers and specialists to deliver the tools and support they need to be successful."

The Delaware Department of Education will track progress by focusing on:

• Teacher participation in training and coaching

• Classroom observations and support visits

• Student growth through reading checks and assessments

"We will celebrate bright spots, solve problems quickly, and stay with schools until every child is on track," Marten said. "This is Delaware's moment to act, together."

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