Special education in Delaware

What Delaware calls special education, how long each step takes, who to call, free help, paying for services, and how the state scores.

Special education in Delaware

Special education is called

Special Education (DDOE Exceptional Children Resources)

The IEP meeting

IEP team meeting

Eligibility team

IEP team

Evaluation timeline

45 school days. 45 school days or 90 calendar days from consent, whichever is less (14 DE Admin. Code 925)

IEP timeline

30 days (federal)

Transition planning starts

14 (being checked)

Rights transfer to the student at

Developmental delay category

3 to 8 (child count)

Dyslexia law

yes: SB 4 (151st GA, 2021): universal K-3 screening for dyslexia/reading difficulties

Find your district and schools

46 districts and charter districts. 23 special education schools and 24 public charter schools.

Get your Hall Pass Schools in Delaware Services for children in Delaware (on Disability Atlas)

The state office and your options when you disagree

State special education office

Delaware Department of Education, Exceptional Children Resources (302) 735-4210

Procedural safeguards (your rights notice)

Read the state's notice

Mediation

Ask for mediation

State complaint

File a state complaint

Due process

Ask for a due process hearing

Ombudsman

Delaware Public Education Ombudsperson Program (DPEOP)

Free help for families

Parent centers

Parent Information Center of Delaware (PIC)
Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), Wilmington
(888) 547-4412

Disability rights agency

Disability Rights Delaware/CLASI
Protection and Advocacy Agency, Wilmington
(302) 575-0660

Advocacy groups in Delaware

Paying for it

Medicaid for children

Delaware Medicaid (Diamond State Health Plan)

CHIP

Delaware Healthy Children Program

Apply

Apply for coverage

Medicaid for children with disabilities, whatever the family's income

yes: Children's Community Alternative Disability Program (TEFRA)

Schools bill Medicaid for health services

Autism insurance law

yes. under 21; ABA annual limit referenced

Scholarship or ESA for students with disabilities

none

How school, Medicaid and insurance fit together

How Delaware scores

First edition. These grades are new (November 2026) and the weights may still change. Texas graduation data is being confirmed with the state.

State of Schools

C-

Rank 31 of 51

State of Support

B+

Rank 9 of 51

Combined

C+

Rank 17 of 51

Pillar	Grade
Following the law	D
Learning together	D
Results	C+
School funding	C-
Family protections	A-
Options and transition	C

IDEA determination 2026: Needs Assistance (2 or more years). How we grade.

Sources for this page are listed in the SPED Atlas research tables (state terms, state help, paying for it). Items marked "being checked" are waiting on a primary source.

Last reviewed: November 2026. Rules, programs and phone numbers change. Check with the office named on this page. Report outdated or wrong information.