AZ HB2015

Appropriates $7.5 million in fiscal year 2021-2022, $15 million in fiscal year 2022-2023, and $22.5 million in fiscal year 2023-2024 from the state general fund to the Department of Education for preschool development grants to eligible providers.

Requires eligible providers to use an evidence-based curriculum with clear scope and sequence and explicit focus on coaching to assist teachers with curriculum implementation.

Mandates the Department of Education to evaluate preschool development grant use beginning January 1, 2023, including analysis of child outcome gains, with a report due to the Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and Secretary of State by January 31, 2024.

Directs that appropriated monies first be used to replace federal funding that is no longer available to eligible providers who participated in the preschool development grants program in fiscal years 2018-2019 or 2019-2020.