The New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act aims to improve access to high-quality preschool education, particularly for economically disadvantaged children and multilingual learners, by mandating that all school districts provide free full-day kindergarten and preschool for at-risk pupils. The bill establishes a Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee within the Department of Education to oversee the implementation of these initiatives and emphasizes sustainable financial support for preschool programs. Key amendments include the introduction of a new formula for calculating preschool education aid based on projected full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, as well as the establishment of a three-year pilot program for cost-sharing between the state and school districts receiving preschool education aid.

Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for school districts to partner with licensed child care providers and Head Start programs, and to submit annual program plans detailing their preschool implementation. It also introduces new definitions, such as "full-day preschool," and revises existing language regarding school district responsibilities in providing preschool education. The legislation prioritizes districts with higher concentrations of at-risk pupils for preschool expansion grants and mandates that all elementary-serving school districts establish full-day kindergarten programs by the 2029-2030 school year, ensuring that attendance remains free.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7F-38, 18A:7F-45, 18A:7F-54, 18A:7G-8