Bill
Bill > HB464
summary
Introduced
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create The "mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act Of 2025"; To Define Certain Terms; To Provide For The Public Funding Of The Program, Which Shall Be Available To Parents And Families On A Voluntary Participation Basis; To Prescribe The Minimum Standards Of Education Required To Be Offered To Children Enrolled In The Program; To Prescribe The Manner By Which Payments Will Be Made To Prekindergarten Programs, Whether Such Programs Are Offered Through The Public School District Of Residence, An Outside District Or Through A Prequalified Private Provider; To Establish The Minimum Standards Required For The Prequalification Of Private Providers; To Prescribe The Manner By Which Local School Districts Must Account For Students Enrolled In Prekindergarten Programs For Purposes Of Determining Average Daily Attendance; To Require The Program To Be Jointly Administered By The State Board Of Education And The Division Of Early Childhood Care And Development; To Provide For The Expansion Of School-based Prekindergarten Programs; To Require The Board And The Division To Establish A Process To Calculate The Annual Statewide Tuition Rate For Prekindergarten Education; To Provide For An Administrative Procedures Process For Entities Aggrieved By Actions Of The Board And Division; To Require Annual Reports On The Program And Any Recommendation For Improvement Or Discontinuation To The Legislature; To Bring Forward Section 37-21-51, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For The Purpose Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2025, creating a voluntary statewide prekindergarten education program for four-year-old children. The program will provide at least 10 hours per week of publicly funded prekindergarten education for 35 weeks annually, with parents having the choice to enroll their children in prequalified public or private programs. School districts will be required to pay tuition for these programs at a statewide rate, with providers needing to meet rigorous quality standards including accreditation, teacher qualifications, curriculum requirements, and child-to-teacher ratios. The program will be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, with detailed reporting requirements to the legislature on program implementation, quality, and child outcomes. Providers must follow specific guidelines such as using state-adopted early learning standards, providing professional development for staff, offering age-appropriate assessments, and ensuring family engagement. The bill includes provisions for monitoring program effectiveness, protecting against discrimination, and ensuring that public funds are not used in violation of constitutional restrictions. The program is designed to be implemented gradually, with careful attention to quality, accessibility, and ongoing evaluation of its impact on children's educational readiness.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0464.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/html/HB/0400-0499/HB0464IN.htm |
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