 |
|
4/8/2025
|
Senate approves Gallo bill for universal pre-K
|
STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo to set Rhode Island on a path to offering universal free prekindergarten to 3- and 4-year-olds. The bill now heads to the House.
The Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act (2025-S 0394) calls for a state-managed publicly funded prekindergarten program to be sustained and expanded in a mixed-delivery system that includes Head Start programs, school districts, licensed center-based, licensed family child-care providers and family child-care networks. The bill calls for the system to be expanded as funds are available, with a goal of reaching enrollment of at least 70% of 3- and 4-year-olds in the state.
“Research has shown how incredibly beneficial pre-K is for children, improving everything from test scores and behavior to college enrollment later on. Children who enter kindergarten with experience in school are prepared, and that head start helps them succeed not only that year, but throughout their education,” said Senator Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick). “Access to such a life-changing resource should never depend on where a child lives or whether a family can afford it.”
The bill requires the state to allocate sufficient funding for competitive wages that retain highly qualified educators, and requires research-based quality standards that include teacher education and certification, class size and staff ratios, learning time, developmentally appropriate, evidence-based learning standards, curriculum that prioritizes developmentally appropriate, play-based learning, and access and support for students with special needs and English language learners.
In addition to all their educational and developmental advantages for children, universal prekindergarten and expansion of high-quality child care programs would better enable parents to work at a time when many young families need more income.
The bill would also require that 30% of any increase in funding for the expansion of the prekindergarten program be set aside to sustain and expand access to high-quality child care and early learning programs for infants and adults, including Early Head Start.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, where House Education Committee Chairman Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) is sponsoring companion legislation (2025-H 5199).
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
|
|