An Act relative to universal prekindergarten access

This bill creates a grant program to help Massachusetts school districts expand access to full-day prekindergarten for children aged 2 to 5. To receive funding, districts must meet strict standards, including maintaining low student-to-instructor ratios, hiring qualified teachers with salaries comparable to K-12 staff, and providing inclusive, evidence-based instruction. The law also requires districts to develop detailed implementation plans overseen by a local council and submit regular progress reports, with the possibility of losing funds if they fail to meet these goals. Priority for grants will be given to districts that have previously received preschool funding or those with lower third-grade reading scores and higher rates of economic disadvantage.