Bill > HB1134

This bill amends existing Mississippi law to mandate a phased-in expansion of Early Learning Collaboratives (ELCs), which are district-wide or county-wide councils that provide voluntary prekindergarten programs for four-year-old children. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the State Department of Education must progressively establish ELCs across the state, with the goal of having a voluntary prekindergarten program in all 137 school districts by the 2029-2030 school year. The bill requires the department to establish a minimum of 20 new collaboratives annually. These collaboratives must meet specific criteria, including voluntary enrollment, collaboration among educational providers, qualified teachers, professional development, use of comprehensive early learning standards, age-appropriate curriculum and assessments, appropriate child-to-teacher ratios, and family engagement opportunities. The expansion builds on the existing Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013, which initially established a voluntary prekindergarten program with a phased approach of increasing state funding and the number of children served. The bill aims to ensure more children across Mississippi have access to high-quality early childhood education and development services, recognizing the importance of early learning in a child's educational journey.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1134.xml