Bill > HB255

This bill, titled the "Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2026," establishes a publicly funded, voluntary prekindergarten program for four-year-old children, aiming to provide at least ten hours per week of education for thirty-five weeks annually. Parents can choose to enroll their children in programs offered by their local school district, a prequalified private provider, or a public school in another district, with the school district of residence responsible for paying tuition to the chosen provider. To ensure quality, the bill outlines minimum standards for prequalified providers, including accreditation, specific educational plans, qualified staff, professional development, curriculum alignment with state standards, appropriate teacher-to-child ratios, meals, health screenings, and plans for children with disabilities. The program will be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, which will also establish a statewide tuition rate, potentially adjusted regionally. The bill also addresses how local school districts will account for these prekindergarten students for attendance purposes and requires annual reports to the Legislature on the program's progress and recommendations for improvement. Additionally, it brings forward existing law regarding "early learning collaboratives" (groups of educational entities working together) and "prekindergarten providers" (schools, centers, or Head Start programs serving four-year-olds) to ensure coordination and quality in early childhood education.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0255.xml