Addressing the issues:

1. Over-crowded Classrooms: Overcrowding is a significant issue across the state. Delaware's average elementary class size was 20.3 students per room. According to the Delaware Code, Title 14 Section 1705, a district or charter board can request a class size waiver if the average exceeds 22 students. This overcrowding can lead to increased wear and tear on school facilities.

Challenges:
• Locating space for new classrooms has become a major hurdle, particularly in densely populated areas.
• Some districts face funding shortages, which worsen the overcrowding problem.

2. Reading Proficiency Concerns In Delaware, a notable number of elementary students, especially in Wilmington, face challenges with reading proficiency, with statistics showing that many are not reading at grade level by the time they reach third grade.

Here’s a closer examination of the situation:
• In 2022, Delaware's fourth graders scored below the national average.
• The proportion of students in Delaware achieving at or above the NAEP Proficient level decreased compared to 2019.
• Consequences of Reading Challenges:
• Students who do not reach grade-level reading by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school.
• Those who struggle with reading may experience lower earning potential and a higher likelihood of encountering legal issues.

READING TO LEARN vs. LEARNING TO READ Learning to read emphasizes the ability to decode written text and understand the connection between letters and sounds (phonics). In contrast, reading to learn involves applying reading skills to acquire knowledge and grasp new ideas. Traditionally, it is believed that students transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" around the third or fourth grade. However, some experts contend that these processes should happen concurrently and continuously throughout a child's educational journey. Significance: Successfully transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn is vital for academic achievement and lifelong education. Students who find it difficult to make this transition may require extra support and intervention. Reading comprehension is essential for both learning to read and reading to learn, as it entails understanding the material being read. 

3. Rising absenteeism In Delaware, chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days, has risen significantly post-pandemic, with 23% of students chronically absent in the 2022-2023 school year, up from 15% pre-pandemic, and this trend is impacting student achievement.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
• Pre-Pandemic vs. Post-Pandemic:
• Before the pandemic, Delaware had a chronic absenteeism rate of 15%.
• In the 2022-2023 school year, the rate jumped to 23%, a significant increase
Causes and Impacts:
• The rise in absenteeism is linked to various factors, including the pandemic's disruption to education and potential challenges in accessing resources like transportation and healthcare.
• Chronic absenteeism is associated with lower academic achievement, higher dropout rates, and increased involvement in the criminal justice system.
• The pandemic also highlighted existing disparities in attendance, with some students facing greater barriers to attending school.