Bill > HF587

This bill requires school districts that are underperforming, as measured by a composite of performance measures, to have their prekindergarten programs evaluated by the Parent Aware quality rating system. Specifically, the bill instructs the commissioner of education to create a formula to determine which school districts fall below the state average in performance measures outlined in section 120B.11. Those districts that are below average will not automatically receive a school-based program rating and must instead qualify through the Parent Aware system (also known as the Quality Rating and Improvement System). By August 1 of each year, the education commissioner must inform the children, youth, and families commissioner about which districts scored below the state average. The bill also adjusts the existing voluntary quality rating system to include these required evaluations for underperforming districts, ensuring that all such programs will receive at least a one-star rating by July 1, 2026, while maintaining provisions that allow programs to opt out under certain circumstances. The overall aim appears to be improving the quality and accountability of prekindergarten programs in lower-performing school districts.