DE HB377

Requires the Department of Education to conduct an annual early childhood workforce study by November 15 each year, beginning in 2022, tracking workforce size, credentials, demographics, wage gaps compared to public school teachers, and data collection improvements.

Mandates the Department develop a comprehensive support plan for early childhood professionals by January 31, 2023, to be implemented by September 1, 2023, including loan forgiveness, scholarships, and salary supplements.

Includes alternative credentialing routes, formalized career pathways through high schools and higher education partnerships, and support for paraprofessionals, bilingual candidates, and those without degrees.

Establishes partnerships with institutions of higher education to provide tutoring, academic counseling, embedded coaching, community-based training delivery, non-English language courses, and substitute funding for professionals pursuing credentials.

Aims to address early childhood workforce shortages and low wages that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting compensation parity with K-12 teaching staff and creating sustainable career development pathways.