AK HB240

Establishes a statewide "early education program" for children ages 4-5, replacing terminology of "pre-elementary," with department approval required for district programs to receive state funding.

Creates a Parents as Teachers program for children under 5 years old, focusing on school readiness, parent engagement, child development understanding, health screening, and disease prevention.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award up to $3,000,000 in annual grants to school districts for developing or improving early education programs, prioritizing lower-performing districts.

Allows children under school age to enter kindergarten if they are 5 years old on or before September 1, with early education students exempt from certain grade advancement requirements.

Increases the maximum school district fund balance accumulation from 10 percent to 25 percent of expenditures, subject to department approval for plans exceeding this threshold.