Bill > H679

This bill seeks to improve the quality of early childhood education in Massachusetts. It does this by: 1) Requiring the Department of Early Education and Care to establish a rate structure for subsidized early education and care programs that is adequate to meet the cost of providing high-quality programs, as well as a sliding fee scale for participants in these programs. 2) Expanding the early childhood mental health consultation grant program to provide on-site coaching and support to address challenging behaviors and facilitate referrals for children needing more intensive services. 3) Developing performance standards to significantly limit the use of suspension and expulsion in early education and care programs, ensuring it is only used in extraordinary circumstances. 4) Establishing an early education and care educator scholarship program to cover tuition, fees, and other supports for early educators pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees. The bill also requires the Department of Early Education and Care to submit several reports, including recommendations for continuing programming from the federal Preschool Expansion Grant and implementation plans for the new educator scholarship program.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H679