SB99 Summary

• Establishes a statewide universal preschool program for four-year-old Alabama residents who are four years old by September 15 of each school year, with voluntary enrollment.

• Requires preschool teachers to have a bachelor's or graduate degree with a major in early childhood education, appropriate state licensing and certification, and employment with a participating school district.

• Authorizes the State Department of Education to adopt rules establishing program requirements including teacher-to-child ratios, curriculum standards, minimum 10 hours per week of instruction, and collaboration with community partners including Head Start and other state and federal programs.

• Funds preschool programs from the Education Trust Fund through local school districts with separate accounting; prohibits construction facility costs and commingling with other state appropriations.

• Prioritizes school district participation based on lack of existing preschool programming, high percentage of children in poverty, equitable statewide distribution by district size, and established community partnerships.