Nancy Mercante founded the nonpartisan nonprofit Citizens for Delaware Schools two years ago, to advocate for a better education for every student in the state.
What will the future hold for our kids, grandkids and especially those who live in poverty in Delaware?
Are any of us happy that student performance in Delaware ranks fourth from the bottom in national testing? On the contrary, it is an embarrassment and a disgrace to deprive Delaware’s children of a good education. Think about it: Forty-ninth in eighth grade math, and reading scores are at a 27-year low, with 41% reading below basic proficiency. In a 2025 survey, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that 4 out of 5 managers say high school students are unprepared to enter the workforce.
The problems begin in the lower grades and become critical and hard to overcome by fourth grade. Since 2013, this group has lost more than 30 points and ranks 49th in the nation. Compare this to Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the nation, which leapfrogged over Delaware during the same period.
Far too many Delawareans don’t know these facts. That’s why, this month, we will launch a statewide Wake Up Delaware campaign. Nothing will change until more people, especially parents, understand how serious the problem is.
The truth is that school boards tackle many vital issues plaguing education today, but they can and should elevate academic outcomes to the highest order of business. That’s the whole purpose of schools, isn’t it? We need people who feel passionate about giving kids a better education to run for their school boards.
Boards have a vital oversight role that includes setting education policies, approving multimillion-dollar budgets and, above all, holding superintendents accountable for delivering improved academic outcomes. Board members serve as liaisons between the education system and the people who are its customers.
I’m not going to kid you — it requires work to get candidates up to speed and know how to work effectively with other members who may have different views. The good news is that Citizens for Delaware Schools is creating a network of useful resources to ease candidates into the role.
Thirty-four seats are up for election across the state in May. With the March 6 filing deadline upon us, we need more people to run, so voters have choices. Our republic depends on this kind of local civic involvement from citizens. If this role is not for you, print out our recruitment flyer and hand copies to friends, family or associates, saying, “I think you’d be good at this.”
Equally important is that we, the people — parents, grandparents, taxpayers, teachers, you, me — must step up big time to be part of the solution. One way is to insist that school boards lead differently and put all children on the path to academic excellence. Another is to get informed and step up in small but meaningful ways: Monitor and speak up at school board meetings, sign up to get our newsletter and read our online School Board Voters Guide before you go vote May 13.
This fight is not about blame or numbers. It’s about saving lives. Think about your kids or grandkids and all children in public schools who might be lost in a system that is broken. They matter. Let’s stand up for them, while there’s still time, and help them find their way to the American dream.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
