Bill > A5524

Introduced Session

This bill requires school districts that are in receipt of preschool education aid to establish and utilize a mixed delivery system for the provision of free preschool opportunities. The bill defines a mixed delivery system as a partnership between a school district and licensed child care providers and Head Start programs in the same community or neighboring communities, which is formed for the purpose of providing free preschool opportunities. Additionally, the bill requires a school district that is in receipt of preschool education aid to provide preschool education in a manner that: (1) to the greatest extent feasible, maximizes the number of free preschool opportunities provided through licensed child care providers and Head Start programs in the community or neighboring communities that are willing and able to meet all preschool program requirements; and (2) does not selectively assign a preschool pupil to either a district program, licensed child care provider program, or Head Start program based on age or any other characteristic or factor that affects the cost of educating the pupil. Finally, the bill provides that it is to be the responsibility of the Department of Education to ensure that school districts are in compliance with the mixed delivery system requirements set forth in the bill. The department is also required to provide guidance and technical assistance to school districts, licensed child care providers, and Head Start programs in the implementation of a mixed delivery system of preschool education.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Reginald Atkins (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 04/10/2025)

Official Document