Office of Educational Advocacy

Wilmington City Council announces the transition of Dr. LaRetha Odumosu, Dr. O, from her role as the Office of Educational Advocacy’s first Director as she begins a new role as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Governor Matt Meyer.

We are thankful for Dr. O’s leadership and service during the Office’s early years and proud of the strong foundation that has been built. As this next chapter begins, we remain committed to the future of the Office of Educational Advocacy and the important work ahead.

Read the full official press release at the link in our bio.

Last week, I spent Thursday with phenomenal educators across the state representing all layers of the education ecosystem at the data round table hosted by the Rodel Foundation. It is moments like this when I am energized and reminded that change can overcome complacency, innovation can outpace old systems and collaboration can overwhelm divisiveness.

We’re laying out a Delaware First agenda, starting with education.

In my State of the State, I laid our priorities to double down on historic investments in our classrooms, from early childhood education to tackling our literacy emergency.

We’re investing in our kids, backing our educators, and delivering real results for Delaware families.

Delaware is considering repairs to the foundation of how it funds public schools.

The state group charged with overhauling that formula got its first chance to brief lawmakers on Jan. 21 after meeting for more than a year. Familiar faces from the Public Education Funding Commission lined the House chamber, while Secretary of Education Cindy Marten and school district leaders previewed the pitch to come.

The almost two-hour hearing brought calm questioning from both sides of the aisle, as lawmakers caught up with the "hybrid” framework commission members approved by the end of 2025.

"The important limitation to note about our current system is that the only demographic characteristics that it currently recognizes is grade level and special education status," said Colonial schools COO and CFO Emily Falcon, addressing the joint finance committee.

🔗To learn more, read Kelly Powers' story by clicking link in comments.

📸Benjamin Chambers/Delaware News Journal: Sen. Laura V. Sturgeon, a Democrat, speaks during the Senate Executive Committee Meeting held on the first week of session in the Senate Chamber at Legislative Hall in Dover on Jan. 14, 2026. Among others, the Committee voted to advance a bill sponsored by Townsend to amend Title 16 of the Delaware Code relating to hospital budget review.