HB 168 Summary

• Establishes a voluntary, publicly-funded universal prekindergarten program providing at least 10 hours per week for 35 weeks annually to children age 4 by September 1, with funding available through school districts, private providers, or other districts.

• Requires school districts of residence to pay tuition at a statewide rate (potentially adjusted regionally) to prequalified private providers or public schools outside the district upon parent request, even if the home district operates a program.

• Sets minimum quality standards for prequalification including NAEYC accreditation, teacher qualifications per Section 37-21-3, 15 hours annual professional development, 1:10 teacher-child ratios (maximum 20 per classroom), research-based curriculum aligned to state early learning standards, and 540-1,080 instructional hours annually depending on half-day or full-day programs.

• Allows school boards to limit tuition payments to providers within a defined "prekindergarten region" (not smaller than the district) based on capacity analysis, with exceptions for families unable to access programs within that region.

• Directs the State Department of Education and Division of Early Childhood Care and Development to jointly establish rules, calculate annual tuition rates, monitor program quality and outcomes, and report to the Legislature annually on program efficacy.