The House passed House Bill 188 on Wednesday, a bill that would create an Equity Ombudsman Program and Educational Equity Council to address issues involving systemic and individual student educational inequities, from which the student or students being a member of a class protected from discrimination under Delaware and Federal laws and regulations within the state’s school systems.
“Our society depends on its young people, as they evolve and eventually become our leaders,” said bill sponsor Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha. “The United States spends more on public education than any other nation. Sadly, students still face numerous educational inequities. Clearly it’s not a lack of financial resources, but how they’re applied that allows persisting disparity and educational inequity. Our students and families deserve advocates who will be in their corner and provide the type of assistance that has been historically lacking.
“This type of program helps us assess educational outcomes and show us how our funding investments can be better guided to provide educational equity. We simply need better policies like HB 188 to ensure a bright future for every student while being effective in narrowing the inequity gap. Again, Delaware’s children are our future leaders. They’re deserving of an educational system that is equitable and will serve as a solid foundation for a stronger society.”
According to Rep. Chukwuocha, the bill replaces a contractual program currently maintained by the state’s Department of Education. Under HB 188, the Department of State shall oversee the ombudsman program.
“Among the many stipulations set forth during the education equity funding settlement reached in 2020, the creation of an education equity ombudsperson in each county will do the most to curb the school-to-prison pipeline,” said Sen. Tizzy Lockman, vice chair of the Senate Education Committee. “Because every Delaware student deserves an advocate, I am eager to codify these positions through the passage of House Bill 188. I thank my House colleagues for supporting this legislation and look forward to passing it through the Senate.”
The bill would create ombudspersons to focus on non-legal interventions with school districts and the Department of Education to resolve disputes or complaints concerning disparate discipline, inequitable access to school programs, or otherwise different or unfair treatment of students.
These individuals would learn the codes of conducts for school districts and ensure that they are applied fairly to all students, working to improve school policies. The ombudspersons would be available to act as non-lawyer advocates for students and their families in any proceedings conducted by schools or local, state or federal education agencies.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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