HB 2668 Summary

• Establishes the Arizona School Readiness Program in Title 15, including a school readiness board to oversee high-quality preschool and home-based educational technology programs for economically disadvantaged students.

• Creates a school readiness fund to distribute monies for grants and results-based contracts that fund preschool programs operated by school districts, charter schools, or private providers, or home-based educational technology programs.

• Authorizes the board to enter into results-based school-readiness contracts with private entities (up to $15 million in outstanding obligations) where repayment is contingent on specific performance outcome measures related to reducing special education placements.

• Requires high-quality program components including evidence-based curriculum, professional development, student assessments, specific student-to-adult ratios for district programs, and family engagement.

• Establishes an independent evaluator to assess program outcomes annually and requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature on program data, private entity investments, performance measures, and repayment schedules; program terminates July 1, 2025.