Bill > S339

This bill establishes a high-quality pre-kindergarten education grant program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program aims to support pre-kindergarten programs for children aged 2 years and 9 months up to kindergarten eligibility, with the goal of reducing achievement gaps and improving third-grade reading scores. Eligible applicants include individual school districts and regional district collaborations, and they must partner with licensed community-based early learning programs. The bill outlines extensive requirements for grant recipients, including specific teacher-to-student ratios (10:1), maximum class sizes (20 students), teacher qualifications, professional development, full-day programming, inclusive education for children with disabilities, developmentally appropriate instruction, and comprehensive service provisions. Grants will be awarded based on community readiness (having an approved preschool expansion plan) and need (percentage of high-need students), with preference given to underperforming districts. Recipients must establish a local governing council, submit quarterly reports, and undergo ongoing program evaluations. The board of early education and care is tasked with developing regulations and the commissioner must annually evaluate program effectiveness and provide technical assistance to districts seeking to replicate these programs.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S339