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SB 260

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF ARTS EXCELLENCE.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 24 co-sponsors

The bill creates a Delaware Certificate of Arts Excellence program, with the Department of Education setting criteria, designing the certificate, and issuing awards to qualifying h

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 260

Summary of Senate Bill 260 (Session 153) – Delaware

Title

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF ARTS EXCELLENCE

Purpose and Intent

SB 260 aims to establish a formal Delaware Certificate of Arts Excellence program. The act would create a process for recognizing high school students and schools achieving notable arts education standards, with the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) responsible for developing criteria, designing the certificate, and issuing certificates to each high school with eligible student(s). The program is planned to begin with the 2027-2028 school year.

Key Provisions

  • Creation and Criteria Development

    • DOE must develop the minimum criteria for awarding the Delaware Certificate of Arts Excellence.
    • DOE must design the certificate itself.

  • Issuance and Eligibility

    • The DOE is responsible for issuing certificates to each high school that has eligible students meeting the criteria.

  • Effective Date and Implementation Timeline

    • Effective upon signature by the Governor.
    • Applications for the Delaware Certificate of Arts Excellence would be available starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

Fiscal Impact

  • Estimated Cost: $5,000 annually ( Fiscal Years 2027, 2028, and 2029 ).
  • Source of Funds: State funds via the DOE.
  • Rationale: Based on prior expenses and distribution to an estimated 1,000 recipients.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Delaware Department of Education (DOE) – responsible for criteria development, certificate design, and issuance.
  • Secondary: Delaware high schools with eligible arts students who meet the criteria to receive the certificate.
  • Students: High school students meeting the established arts excellence criteria (through participating schools).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Enrollment/Applications: Certificates would be available to apply for in the 2027-2028 school year.
  • Legislative Timeline:
    • Introduced and assigned to Senate Education Committee (early 2026).
    • Passed by the Senate with a notable vote (20 yes, 1 absent) in March 2026.
    • Reported out of the House Education Committee in April 2026 with favorable recommendations.

Summary of Likelihood and Scope

  • The bill focuses on recognizing arts achievement through a state-level certificate, leveraging DOE authority to define criteria, design, and issuance.
  • The fiscal note is modest, projecting $5,000 annually, suggesting a lightweight administrative process initially.
  • The program appears aimed at elevating visibility for arts education and acknowledging high school students who meet established standards.

If you’d like, I can expand this with a plain-language outline of potential criteria examples (e.g., portfolio requirements, performance achievements, or collaboration with arts organizations) or compare to similar recognition programs in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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