Senate Bill 56 Summary

• Establishes the Opportunity Fund to provide supplemental educational funding for English learner (EL) and low-income (LI) students in Delaware public schools and charter schools.

• Requires school districts and charter schools to allocate at least 98% of Opportunity Fund money generated by a school's EL and LI student population directly to that school, unless the school board follows specific procedures to allocate differently.

• Mandates that at least $5 million annually from the Opportunity Fund be allocated to schools with at least 60% low-income enrollment or 20% English learner enrollment, with funds directed toward mental health or reading support services.

• Sets the per pupil funding amount at $55 million divided by total EL and LI student enrollment across all school districts and charter schools, with funding amounts in subsequent years indexed to enrollment and adjusted annually beginning in fiscal year 2025.

• Requires school districts and charter schools to submit annual reports by November 1 detailing funding received and expenditures by school, which must be made publicly available on school and state department websites.