HB 921 Summary

• Establishes the Executive Office on Early Learning as the administrative authority for state-funded prekindergarten programs, excluding special education, Title I, and private partnership funded programs which remain under Department of Education oversight.

• Requires a memorandum of understanding between the Executive Office on Early Learning and Department of Education to delineate roles, with EOEL responsible for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning support, while DOE maintains oversight of facilities and daily operations.

• Expands the definition of "at-risk children" to include those placed in general education settings through IEPs, English language learners, children in foster care, homeless children, and those with family income up to 300% of federal poverty level.

• Authorizes the State Public Charter School Commission to establish and fund charter school prekindergarten classrooms and requires annual reporting to the legislature on prekindergarten program performance and progress.

• Establishes a dispute resolution process between EOEL and DOE, escalating from superintendent-level discussions to board chairs if needed, with implementation effective July 1, 2050.