Bill > H326

This bill establishes a special commission, to be known as the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Commission, tasked with investigating and studying how to expand universal pre-kindergarten to ensure every pre-kindergarten-aged child in the Commonwealth has access to such programs. The commission will be chaired by the commissioner of the department of early education and care, with other members including designees from the secretary of education and the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, as well as appointees from the governor, the speaker of the house, and the senate president, representing various stakeholders like Head Start, private preschools, teachers' unions, school superintendents, and school committees. This commission is required to report its findings and any necessary legislation to expand pre-kindergarten offerings by December 31, 2016, and its report will analyze how to best expand quality pre-kindergarten for all 3 and 4-year-olds, how to fund these expansions, the ideal mix of program types, and the best methods to promote high-quality curriculum, child development, and safety standards, considering factors like costs, parental preferences, different program models (Head Start, public schools, licensed or subsidized programs, private programs), financial benefits, the potential inclusion of pre-kindergarten students in education funding calculations (Chapter 70 funds), and ways to increase participation in quality rating systems like the Quality Rating Information System (QRIS).