MA H606

Creates a High Quality Pre-Kindergarten Expansion grant program administered by the Department of Early Education and Care for children ages 2 years 9 months through kindergarten eligibility

Requires grant recipients to meet specific standards including maximum 10:1 child-to-instructor ratio, maximum class size of 20 students, full school-day programs, evidence-based curricula, and instructional staff salaries comparable to K-12 teachers

Prioritizes grant awards to districts with existing commonwealth preschool partnerships or federal preschool expansion grants, as well as those with lower third-grade reading proficiency and higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students

Allows school districts to submit plans by December 31, 2024 for universal early education access for all resident students, with no user fees permitted for attendance

Modifies Chapter 70 school funding formula to count full-day preschool students at double the rate for foundation budget calculations, increasing state education aid for districts with approved programs