MA H687

Creates a High Quality Pre-Kindergarten Education Grant Program administered by the Department of Early Education and Care to serve children ages 2 years 9 months through kindergarten eligibility

Eligible grantees include individual school districts and regional district collaborations, with required partnerships with licensed community-based early learning programs

Establishes program standards including maximum 10:1 child-to-instructor ratio, maximum class size of 20 students, full school day programming, and instructional staff salaries comparable to K-12 educators

Awards grants based on readiness (having an EEC-approved preschool expansion plan) and need (percentage of high-need students), with preference given to underperforming or chronically underperforming districts

Requires grant recipients to establish local governing councils, submit quarterly reports, and undergo annual program evaluations by the Commissioner of Early Education and Care