Bill > HB44

This bill establishes a comprehensive Migrant Education Program in Delaware designed to support the educational needs of children from migrant families. The bill creates a new chapter in the Delaware Code that outlines four primary purposes: supporting high-quality educational programs for migratory children, ensuring these children can meet the same challenging academic standards as other students, helping them overcome educational disruptions and barriers, and assisting them in benefiting from state and local educational reforms. The bill requires the Delaware Department of Education to ensure these children's educational needs are met, with a specific mandate to maintain service levels that existed on January 19, 2025, as defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). If federal funding is insufficient, the Department must proactively identify and secure supplemental funding from the state or other sources to prevent any interruption in educational services. The legislation also authorizes the Department to create regulations to implement the program. Contextually, the bill's preamble notes that educating migrant children is not only a moral and ethical imperative but also essential to Delaware's agricultural industry, recognizing the significant contribution of migrant workers to the state's economy.

Government Affairs

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=141892