1: Early Childhood

The Commission’s final report under Policy Area 1: Early Childhood Education recommended the following:

• A significant expansion of full-day prekindergarten (pre-K), to be free for all low-income 3‑ and 4‑year-olds and available to all other 4-year-olds with fees set at a sliding scale, so that all children have the opportunity to begin kindergarten ready to learn;

• Public funding for both public-school based and community-based pre-K programs, with all providers receiving public funding required to meet rigorous quality standards;

• A substantial increase in the supply of early childhood education teachers through tuition assistance and financial support for those pursuing credentials and degrees; and

• An expansion of both Family Support Centers for pre- and post-natal support and Judy Centers for early childhood education and family support; and full funding of the Infants and Toddlers Program to identify early and provide supports to young children with disabilities.