January 28, 2026

Governor lays out Delaware-First agenda in State of the State

Governor Matt Meyer delivered his State of the State address to the Delaware General Assembly this month, outlining a bold, people-first agenda focused on lowering costs for working families, strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable housing, and improving healthcare across the First State.

“Despite unprecedented uncertainty and challenges beyond our control, the State of our State is strong,” Governor Meyer said. “Now is not the time to shy away from difficulty. Because challenge creates opportunity — and opportunity, when met with purpose, makes us stronger.”

In education, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to literacy, equity, and accountability.

“A year ago, we declared a Literacy Emergency, and we meant it,” Governor Meyer said. “If a child cannot read, they cannot succeed.”

Governor Meyer highlighted direct classroom investments supporting more than 4,000 classrooms and reiterated his call to modernize Delaware’s school funding system.

Governor Meyer closed by reaffirming his commitment to responsible budgeting, transparency, and collaboration with the General Assembly to deliver results for Delaware families.

On Thursday, January 29 at 11 a.m., Governor Mett Meyer will present his recommended FY2027 budget at Delaware Public Archives. 

Both the budget presentation and the recorded State of the State livestreams can be accessed on the State of Delaware’s Facebook and YouTube pages. 

Delaware leaders chart responsible path for AI in classrooms

Delaware education leaders gathered January 10 at Capital School District's Dover High School for the Delaware AI and Innovation Education Summit, a statewide convening focused on how artificial intelligence can be integrated into classrooms safely, responsibly, and in service of student learning.

Hosted by the Delaware Department of Education, the summit brought together Governor Matt Meyer, Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, educators, students, elected leaders, policy makers and industry partners to examine both the promise and the challenges of AI in education.

The goal was not experimentation for its own sake, but intentional action, using AI where it meaningfully improves teaching, learning, outcomes, and school operations, while establishing clear ethical guardrails.

Governor Meyer opened the summit by underscoring that Delaware’s approach to AI is rooted in responsibility, not trend-chasing.

“We are not pursuing AI because it is trendy,” Meyer said. “We’re doing it because we have a responsibility to students and educators. If a tool doesn’t help teachers get time back, help students learn more deeply, help schools operate more effectively, or help families access services more easily, then it’s not progress—it’s noise.”

He added that the standard for adoption must be simple and uncompromising: Does this tool improve outcomes, make learning stronger, safer, and fairer?

From theory to practice

Rather than focusing on abstract possibilities, the summit highlighted real-world applications of AI already emerging in schools. Sessions demonstrated how AI can reduce administrative burdens for educators, support student-centered and project-based learning, and provide more timely, personalized feedback to students leading to better outcomes.  

Student voices were also front and center. Student panelists shared how AI tools are already shaping their learning experiences and offered thoughtful perspectives on what responsible use looks like from a learner’s point of view.

Weather reminders for schools, families

As communities across Delaware recover from last weekend’s winter storm and closely monitor another potential storm in the forecast, Delaware continues sharing important reminders and resources to help schools and families stay informed, prepared, and safe.

School Weather Announcements
School districts and charter schools may announce schedule changes, delays, early dismissals, or closures based on local conditions. Families should continue to monitor district and school communication channels, including emails, texts, phone calls, websites, and social media.

Many schools share updates through the state’s centralized school closing page. Not all districts and charters use this platform, so families should always rely first on their local school system’s communications for the most accurate and timely information.

Statewide Emergency Weather Resources
Delaware’s centralized emergency weather and emergency information hub provides updates from state agencies, safety guidance, and links to local resources. Families, educators, and school leaders can access this page for the latest information:

Resources include:

As weather conditions change, we want to encourage all families and school staff to stay informed, plan ahead, and prioritize safety. 

A new partnership between the Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Industrial Affairs and Colonial School District’s William Penn High School Media Center is helping advance Governor Meyer’s workforce vision by connecting more students to authentic, career-connected learning experiences.

The collaboration provides students interested in media, storytelling, and public-sector communications with hands-on opportunities to work alongside state professionals, gaining real-world exposure to careers in government and the communications field.

William Penn student media teams will gain experience in:

The partnership strengthens Delaware’s commitment to youth workforce development, offering practical learning experiences that build skills, confidence, and career awareness.

"We are excited to welcome William Penn High School students into this important work,” said LaKresha Moultrie, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor. “This partnership reflects the core mission of Governor Meyer’s Executive Order No.1 by opening real pathways for young people to gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and discover future careers. These students bring energy, creativity, and professionalism to our events, and we’re proud to help develop the next generation of Delaware’s workforce.”

The William Penn Media Center cultivates passionate, skilled students who are eager to expand their knowledge through real-world projects. The Department of Labor will also welcome student teams into key events throughout the year, offering mentorship, exposure to state operations, and opportunities to build professional portfolios.

Students, families encouraged to search for scholarships

High school students across Delaware are invited to apply for the Delaware Goes to College Academy Virtual Spring Break Academy, a free, five-day virtual program running April 6-10.

Open to all 9th-11th grade students, regardless of GPA, this program helps students explore colleges that are the right academic, social, and financial fit. Through interactive workshops, college exploration activities, and personalized guidance, students will gain practical tools and confidence to navigate the college search and application process.

Funded by the Delaware Department of Education and operated by Teensharp, the academy is designed to expand access, build college knowledge, and support students and families as they plan for life after high school.

Applications are due Monday, March 16. Space is limited.

Apply at https://tinyurl.com/DGCA2026.

Delaware Department of Education I education.delaware.gov