SB 99 Summary

• Changes terminology from "pre-elementary" to "early education program" for programs serving children ages 4-5 who have not attended kindergarten, with primary educational function.

• Establishes department grant program awarding three-year grants to eligible school districts based on performance ranking, with 20% of districts in each performance tier eligible in successive fiscal years from 2017-2021.

• Allows children ages 4-5 to enroll in public school early education programs and counts them as one-half full-time equivalent students for funding purposes once programs meet state standards.

• Requires early education program standards including half-day (minimum 2.5 hours), full-day (6 hours), or locally designed programs, plus lead teachers holding valid teaching certificates with early childhood education coursework.

• Repeals the grant program section on July 1, 2027, and exempts early education students from average daily membership counting if enrolled in programs with non-chapter funding sources.