Delaware State Representative Sean Matthews submitted House Bill #282 for pre-filing yesterday which would give $25 to each student for field trips in designated low-income schools across the state.
Much of what makes a student successful in school is the background knowledge and outside experiences that a student gets from going on trips. Students that go on trips to museums, historical sites and parks are able to acquire knowledge and life experiences that help them do better in school. Field trips are predominately paid for by parents, so students from families of more financial means are typically able to go on more and better field trips.
This bill will allow schools with a 50% or greater low-income student population to receive financial support to plan and run educational field trips. The identified schools (see list below…schools are in all 3 counties) would get $25/student and could use that money to plan field trip/s. The money could be combined with private funding (parents, PTA, grants, etc.) in any manner the school sees fit to maximize its use. Please note that most schools already have policies and procedures to ensure that field trips are educational in nature.
We’ve spent years trying to “fix” struggling schools with programs and money solely within the four walls of a school. Let’s try something new and get students from schools with large low-income populations out of the building on high quality field trips. I believe we will see real and lasting results. Note: The approximate cost to fund this bill Statewide based on the most recent data on low-income students, is $500,000.
Since this bill comes with a fiscal note, I would expect some resistance to it, especially coming from the Republican side. As I see no sponsorship from either the Senate or House Republicans, it is hard to tell what will happen with this. With that being said, I strongly support this bill. It is a definitive and urgent need for high-need students. And yes, low-income and poverty is very much a high need. We have a large amount of students this would benefit which could give tangible and immediate results in their education. Frankly, I’m disappointed no Republicans signed on as some of them represent districts where some of the below schools reside in. I can think of a lot of wasteful spending in this state and this would NOT be one of them!
This is not limited to traditional school districts but also charter schools that qualify. Please support this legislation!
The list of schools:
Elementary Schools: East Dover, South Dover, Booker T. Washington, Fairview, Towne Point, Lake Forest, North Laurel, Dunbar, Banneker, Mispillion, Blades, Frederick Douglas, Harlan, Highlands, Lewis Dual Language, Shortlidge, Baltz, Richardson Park, Mote, Warner, Brookside, Oberle, Bancroft, Elbert-Palmer, Pulaski, Stubbs, Eisenberg, Academy of Dover, East Side Charter, Thomas Edison Charter, Charter School of New Castle, Kuumba Academy, and Academia Antonia Alonso.
Middle Schools: Central Middle, Skyline, Stanton, Bayard, and McCullough
High Schools: Pyle Academy & Great Oaks
ILC Schools: Kent Elementary ILC & Kent County Alternative
Special Schools: First State School, Douglass School, & Carver Center
To read the full bill, please see below:
The Season Of Myths 