MS SB2324

Expands Mississippi's voluntary prekindergarten program eligibility from children age 4 and older to children age 3 and older (those who turn 3 by September 1 of the school year)

Maintains existing program structure requiring early learning collaboratives composed of public school districts, Head Start affiliates, private/parochial schools, or licensed child care centers

Preserves funding levels at $2,150 per student for full-day programs and $1,075 per student for half-day programs, with a 1:1 local matching requirement

Requires minimum 540 instructional hours for half-day programs and 1,080 hours for full-day programs, with teacher/child ratios of 1:10 and maximum class size of 20

Takes effect July 1, 2023, with implementation beginning in the 2023-2024 school year