Innovation or Inequity? An Analysis of School Choice Policy

• Dilana Winter, Public Policy, University of Delaware

• Kelly Sherretz, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware
• Alaina Robinson, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware

The Redding Consortium for Educational Equity (Redding Consortium) voted in December 2025 to initiate the redistricting plan development process to consolidate the four northern New Castle County school districts (Brandywine, Christina, Colonial, and Red Clay Consolidated) into one Northern New Castle County Consolidated School District. This decision was made in an attempt to solve systemic educational issues and fragmented governance structure in northern New Castle County, specifically the city of Wilmington area, and how those have disproportionately affected historically underserved populations. As the Consortium moves into further discussion about redistricting planning, knowledge of state-level school choice policy and its impacts in northern Delaware schools is integral to ensuring equitable education outcomes are achieved for all students. In Delaware, school choice allows students to apply to and attend schools beyond their assigned one, including traditional public schools, charters and magnet schools, vocational-technical schools, and private schools. The school choice application process has gone through various iterations to become more standardized and accessible, but findings from multiple sources show that there are still barriers with accessing and navigating the choice system, especially for underresourced families. According to Delaware Department of Education choice data, in every northern New Castle County school district, the percentage of students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and African American students is disproportionately higher among those students who attend their assigned schools instead of using the choice system. As the Redding Consortium moves forward with developing its redistricting plan, school choice policy and equitable access should be a primary consideration. To ensure educational equity for all students, concerted outreach to families about the school choice process should be expanded to include all students, and all traditional public schools should receive adequate resources and support from the school district so that students are encouraged to attend their assigned schools.