Giving students and teachers in so-called high-needs schools the support they need takes money, and a lawsuit filed by two civil rights groups —  Delawareans for Educational Opportunity and the Delaware NAACP — demands the state change how it funds education. It claims the system provides more support for children who are well off than it provides for children living in poverty.

They are working with the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware, which says the state’s education system is not providing an adequate education to all students.

The lawsuit, similar to ones filed in 45 states, seeks to have more money given to schools with large numbers of low-income students, special education students and English language learners.

That funding would allow school districts like Christina to invest in tools that could help those students succeed, as districts in New Jersey now do. And it could keep experienced teachers from fleeing jobs in those schools that can be overwhelmingly stressful.

ACLU-DE legal director Ryan Tack-Hooper said despite the best efforts of teachers, families and school staff, the current education system fails too many Delaware children.

Source: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/education/2018/05/23/lawsuit-would-change-way-delaware-schools-funded/590963002/