Maryland develops pre K sliding scale prioritizing low-income families and diverse providers

The Maryland Department of Education held a meeting on February 15, 2024, to discuss significant developments in early childhood education, particularly focusing on the implementation of a pre-kindergarten sliding scale for Tier 2 families. This initiative is part of the broader educational reform outlined in the state's blueprint for education.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is tasked with creating this sliding scale, which aims to make pre-kindergarten more affordable for families. Input was gathered from a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, local education agencies, and early childhood providers. The primary goal of the sliding scale is to ensure that families pay no more than 7% of their gross annual income for pre-kindergarten services.

The meeting highlighted the importance of a mixed delivery system for pre-kindergarten, which encourages partnerships between public school providers and private early childhood education centers. This system includes a variety of options for families, such as child care centers, Head Start programs, and Montessori schools, allowing parents to choose the best fit for their children.

Enrollment priorities were also discussed, emphasizing that children from Tier 1 families, those with disabilities, and multilingual children will be prioritized for enrollment. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, Tier 2 children will have the opportunity to enroll in full-day pre-kindergarten programs as space allows, promoting socioeconomic diversity in classrooms.

As of the current school year, over 31,000 students are enrolled in public pre-kindergarten programs across Maryland, with a notable majority being four years old. The meeting underscored the state's commitment to expanding access to early childhood education and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to benefit from pre-kindergarten programs.