Bill > H687

This bill establishes a high-quality pre-kindergarten education grant program administered jointly by the departments of early education and care and elementary and secondary education. The program aims to support pre-K education for children between 2 years and 9 months and 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 comprehensive requirements for grant recipients, including specific guidelines for classroom ratios (10 students to 1 instructor, maximum class size of 20), teacher qualifications, professional development, inclusive education for children with disabilities, developmentally appropriate instruction, evidence-based curricula, and comprehensive services. Grants will be awarded based on two primary criteria: readiness (having an approved 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 creating regulations and guidelines within six months, and the commissioner will annually evaluate the program's effectiveness and potential for statewide replication.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H687