New Hampshire House Bill HB620

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/12/23
• Refer: 2/14/23
• Report DNP: 11/16/23

Caption

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

Impact

The proposed legislation is designed to coordinate existing efforts and enhance collaboration among various educational and care entities serving pre-kindergarten children. The pilot program will utilize a mixed-delivery model that allows various high-quality early education providers, including public schools and community-based programs like Head Start, to participate. The bill aligns with the national standards for quality pre-kindergarten education and is tasked with fulfilling specific benchmarks to ensure the effectiveness of the pilot.

Summary

House Bill 620 establishes a Division of Early Learning within the Department of Education aimed at improving early childhood education in the state. The bill mandates the director of this new division to design, create, and administer a three-year high-quality public pre-kindergarten pilot program. This initiative is meant to enhance access to early learning opportunities for children before they enter kindergarten, thereby aiming to set a foundational educational experience that promotes long-term academic achievement.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the funding and implementation of such a program, as indicated by the absence of a completed fiscal note for the bill. Concerns have been raised about how the financial implications will be managed, particularly in terms of resource allocation to effectively support a comprehensive early learning initiative. Stakeholders might also debate the quality standards set for participation in the pilot program and the extent to which the program can meet diverse community needs.