RI H8163

Establishes enrollment goal of at least 70% of all children ages 3 and 4 in high-quality prekindergarten programs through a mixed-delivery system including Head Start, local education agencies, and licensed childcare providers

Adds new legislative findings recognizing Head Start programs' role in providing comprehensive early childhood education services and acknowledges state investment to help programs meet the federally-required 20% state or local funding match

Transfers responsibility for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood workforce development scholarship program from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Department of Human Services

Requires quality standards to meet or exceed National Institute for Early Education Research recommendations or federal Head Start Performance Standards, covering teacher certification, class size, curriculum, special needs support, and English language learner services

Mandates that funding for state prekindergarten and Head Start programs be allocated and adjusted to ensure teacher wages and benefits are competitive with kindergarten teacher compensation