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2017 Maryland Code
Education
Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education
Title 7 - Public Schools
Subtitle 1 - General Provisions
§ 7-101.2. Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program.
Universal Citation: MD Educ Code § 7-101.2 (2017)
- (a) Definitions. --
- (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.
- (2) "Additional eligible child" means a child:
- (i) Who is from an economically disadvantaged background;
- (ii) Whose parent or legal guardian seeks to enroll the child in a publicly funded prekindergarten program established under this section; and
- (iii) Who is 4 years old on September 1 of the school year in which the parent or legal guardian seeks to enroll the child in a publicly funded prekindergarten program established under this section.
- (3) "Economically disadvantaged background" means a family whose income is no more than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- (4) "Fund" means the Prekindergarten Expansion Fund.
- (5) "Judy Center" has the same meaning as provided in § 5-217 of this article.
- (6) "Program" means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program.
- (7) "Qualified vendor" means:
- (i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care center or a nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services;
- (ii) A county board that provides prekindergarten services under § 7-101.1 of this subtitle; and
- (iii) A Judy Center or private provider of preschool services that meets the grant requirements under § 5-217 of this article.
- (b) Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program established. --
- (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program in the State.
- (2) The purpose of the Program is to broaden the availability of prekindergarten and school readiness services throughout the State for children and their families in coordination with the following programs:
- (i) The publicly funded prekindergarten program established under § 7-101.1 of this article; and
- (ii) The Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education Enhancement Program established under § 5-217 of this subtitle.
- (3) The Department shall administer the Program.
- (4)
- (i) The Program shall be a competitive grant program to provide funds to qualified vendors.
- (ii) The Department shall take measures to achieve geographic diversity among participating qualified vendors.
- (iii) Priority for participation in the Program shall be given to qualified vendors:
- 1. That are located in areas of the State that have an unmet need for prekindergarten or comprehensive early childhood education services;
- 2. That include a plan for long-term sustainability, including community and business partnerships and matching funds to the extent possible; and
- 3. That incorporate parental engagement and the benefits of educational activities beyond the classroom into the vendors' programs.
- (iv) Prekindergarten Expansion Grants may be used to expand prekindergarten services, including:
- 1. Establishing or expanding existing half-day prekindergarten for additional eligible children as defined in this section;
- 2. Establishing or expanding full-day prekindergarten for eligible children as defined in § 7-101.1 of this subtitle or additional eligible children as defined in this section;
- 3. Establishing or expanding existing Judy Centers for the families of eligible children as defined in § 7-101.1 of this subtitle or additional eligible children as defined in this section who are located in Title I school attendance areas; and
- 4. Expanding existing half-day prekindergarten programs into full-day prekindergarten programs for eligible children as defined in § 7-101.1 of this subtitle or additional eligible children as defined in this section.
- (v) The Department may establish:
- 1. Additional eligibility criteria for the selection of qualified vendors;
- 2. Application and award processes including the submission date for applications, renewal procedures, and application review processes for making awards under the Program; and
- 3. Any other policies and procedures necessary to implement the Program.
- (5) A qualified vendor that has received a Prekindergarten Expansion Grant in the current year shall be awarded a grant in the next year if the qualified vendor continues to satisfy the requirements established under this section.
- (c) Required certifications by qualified vendors. -- Before approving qualified vendors for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a qualified vendor shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under this section the vendor will:
- (1) Maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of no more than 10 to 1 with an average of 20 children per classroom;
- (2) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early childhood education by the State and at least one teacher's aide who has at least a high school degree; and
- (3) Operate an educational program for:
- (i) 5 days per week;
- (ii) 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school calendar established by the local school board; and
- (iii)
- 1. For half-day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; or
- 2. For full-day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day.
- (d) Funding. --
- (1) Funds for the Program shall be as provided in the State budget.
- (2) The amount of State funds provided for the Program each fiscal year shall be at least as much as was appropriated in the prior fiscal year.
- (3) The Governor may provide funds to the Department to administer the Program.
- (e) Prohibited uses. -- Grants awarded under this section may not be used:
- (1) To supplant existing funding for prekindergarten services; or
- (2) For capital improvements.
- (f) Duties of Department. -- The Department shall:
- (1) Leverage Child Care Subsidy Program funds when making grant awards to private providers that participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program;
- (2) Encourage private providers that receive grants to pursue level 5 in the Department's voluntary quality rating and improvement system known as "Maryland EXCELS";
- (3) Supervise and monitor the use of grant funds distributed under this section; and
- (4) Evaluate whether grant recipients are meeting annual benchmarks established by the Department.
- (g) Prekindergarten Expansion Fund. --
- (1) There is a Prekindergarten Expansion Fund.
- (2) The purpose of the Fund is to provide funds to the Program.
- (3) The Department shall administer the Fund.
- (4)
- (i) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
- (ii) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
- (5) The Fund consists of:
- (i) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
- (ii) Investment earnings of the Fund; and
- (iii) Any other money from any other source, including donations, accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
- (6) The Fund may be used only for grants made by the Department for the Program.
- (7)
- (i) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
- (ii) Investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund.
- (8) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
- (h) Reports. -- In accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, the Department shall report to the General Assembly by November 1 of each year on the implementation of the Program.
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