NH
New Hampshire Senate Bill SB214

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB214

Introduced
1/24/23  
Refer
1/24/23  
Report DNP
2/21/23  

Caption

Establishing a department of early childhood education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program.

Impact

By establishing a dedicated department, SB214 seeks to streamline the approach to early childhood education, which currently lacks direct state funding for pre-kindergarten programs. The new department is charged with setting quality benchmarks and ensuring that participating programs meet high standards, potentially reshaping the landscape of early education in New Hampshire. The legislation aims to address disparities faced by low-income populations and improve educational outcomes by prioritizing grants to areas with limited access to quality early childhood education.

Summary

Senate Bill 214 (SB214) establishes a new Department of Early Childhood Education in New Hampshire, aimed at coordinating educational efforts and programs for young children. The bill authorizes the department to design and implement a three-year mixed delivery public pre-kindergarten pilot program. This initiative is intended to increase accessibility to high-quality early childhood education for families, especially in underserved areas. The bill recognizes the crucial role of early education in children’s development and aligns with long-standing research demonstrating its importance for future academic success and societal contributions.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB214 include the reliance on federal funding and the structure of grant distribution. Critics may raise concerns about the bill's effectiveness in truly addressing the needs of diverse populations and whether it could inadvertently favor more affluent communities that can match funding or meet quality benchmarks more readily. Furthermore, the pilot program's success hinges on the department's efficient management and the adequacy of its funding, which are areas of cautious scrutiny among lawmakers and educators alike.

Latest SB214 Activity

Companion Bills

NH SB214

Carry Over Establishing a department of early childhood education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program.

Previously Filed As

NH SB214

Establishing a department of early childhood education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program.

NH HB620

Establishing a division of early learning in the department of education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program.

NH SB237

Relative to the child care scholarship program and making an appropriation therefor.

NH HB542

Establishing an academic research and improvement performance data analyst in the department of education.

NH HB566

Relative to establishing a fund for child care workers and early childhood educators at state licensed child care centers.

NH SB218

Establishing an early educator professional development grant.

NH SB217

Establishing a rural and underserved area educator incentive program for higher education and making an appropriation therefor.

NH HB538

Establishing a local education freedom account program.

NH SB106

Establishing an emerging professional certificate for child care programs.

NH HB464

Relative to eligible students in the education freedom account program.

Similar Bills

NH HB620

Establishing a division of early learning in the department of education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program.

NH SB214

Establishing a department of early childhood education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program.

RI S0482

The Office Of Early Childhood Development And Learning

RI H6378

The Office Of Early Childhood Development And Learning

RI H7336

Establishes the office of early childhood development and learning to manage a statewide early learning system for children from birth through age five (5), and ensure all children enter school ready to learn.

NH SB326

Relative to developing a plan to create the office of early childhood.

RI S2678

The Office Of Early Childhood Development And Learning

MN HF2292

Early learning scholarships, Head Start, and early education programs modified; early childhood educator programs provided; reports required; and money appropriated.