The bill amends the Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act to enhance the planning and implementation of a state prekindergarten program. It establishes that the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall maintain a high-quality prekindergarten program for children ages three and four. The department is required to annually quantify the resources needed to achieve and maintain high-quality standards and to collect and analyze data regarding the impact of the state prekindergarten program on children's school readiness and achievement.

Additionally, the bill introduces a lottery system for enrollment in the prekindergarten program, which will consider family preferences, sibling enrollment, and the economic demographics of the municipality. To be eligible for the lottery, a student must be a resident of a community participating in the state prekindergarten program and be four years of age by September 1 of the lottery year.

Furthermore, the bill allows prekindergarten programs in participating municipalities to accept students from outside their municipality, provided there are available slots and the students meet eligibility criteria. It ensures that the acceptance of non-resident students does not cause a loss or reduction in state or local education aid and prohibits excluding students with siblings already enrolled in the program based on residency. The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is tasked with promulgating rules and regulations for both the lottery and enrollment processes. This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2207: 16-87-3