Bill > H341

This bill establishes pilot programs for universal pre-kindergarten, which are high-quality preschool programs designed to be accessible to children from 2 years and 9 months old until they are eligible for kindergarten, aiming to improve school readiness. The Department of Early Education and Care will lead this initiative, prioritizing areas with the most at-risk children or schools needing improvement, and will collaborate with local communities and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In targeted municipalities and school districts, community committees will be formed with representatives from various stakeholders, including educators, parents, and community leaders, to build local capacity and share best practices. These programs will adhere to quality standards set by the Massachusetts quality rating and improvement system, and funding will come from federal pre-K grants and, if necessary, state or private funds to support teacher compensation, program quality, and ancillary services for low-income families. The Department will also partner with a research entity to evaluate the program's outcomes and will report its progress annually to legislative committees.