Bill > S0394

This bill establishes comprehensive guidelines for expanding high-quality public prekindergarten education programs for three and four-year-old children in Rhode Island, with the primary goal of improving school readiness. The legislation aims to create a mixed-delivery system that includes Head Start programs, local education agencies, licensed child care centers, and family child care providers, with a target of enrolling at least 70% of children ages three and four in high-quality prekindergarten options. The bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop detailed quality standards based on national research, covering aspects such as teacher qualifications, class sizes, curriculum, special needs support, and professional development. Additionally, the bill addresses workforce development by establishing a working group to identify and address barriers to entry in the early childhood education workforce and includes provisions to ensure competitive wages for prekindergarten teachers. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the bill mandates that 30% of any additional funding for prekindergarten expansion be dedicated to sustaining and expanding high-quality child care and early learning programs for infants and toddlers. The underlying motivation is to provide comprehensive early education support that can generate long-term benefits for children, including improved school performance and potential reduction in future public assistance and criminal justice costs.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://status.rilegislature.gov/