Elizabeth A. Kelley, Chair (chosen by State Department of Education)
Appointed by Senate President: Bill Ferguson
Appointed by House Speaker: Eric D. Ebersole
Appointed by State Department of Education: Crystal M. Barksdale; Elise M. Burgess; Michele A. Dean; Flora L. Gee; Jacqueline N. Grant; Kelly M. Hall; Toby Harkleroad; Stacy Henson, Ed.D.; Steven R. Hicks; Tracy M. Jost; Karen J. Karten; Rachel B. London, Esq.; Clinton K. Macsherry; Christina L. Peusch; Simeon Russell; Shari Sierra; Ginny Simoneau; Sharon L. Vance; Becky Yackley.
Staff: Nancy M. Vorobey
c/o Division of Early Childhood Development, State Department of Education
Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 10th floor
200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2595
(410) 767-0234
e-mail: nancy.vorobey@maryland.gov
web: http://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/workgroup-study-implementation-universal-access-prekindergarten-4-year-olds
In April 2017, the Work Group to Study the Implementation of Universal Access to Prekindergarten for Four-Year-Olds was created (Chapters 25 & 779, Acts of 2017).
The Work Group first is to estimate how many eligible four-year-olds currently are served by public prekindergarten programs. Then, the Work Group will recommend an implementation plan to make quality, full-day prekindergarten available to all four-year-old children in Maryland.
Elements addressed in the prekindergarten plan may include both public and private providers; a family contribution, based on a sliding income scale; recommendations on how to meet staffing needs; and an assessment of the current availability of quality providers and credentialled staff. The plan also may consider how expansion affects available school space; the impact by jurisdiction of universal prekindergarten; the possibilities for local partnerships with private providers or Head Start centers; and options for merging various funding opportunities. In addition, the plan should incorporate findings from the report prepared for the State Department of Education in 2015 (revised 2016): A Comprehensive Analysis of Prekindergarten in Maryland, required by Chapter 2, Acts of 2014.
Authorization for the Work Group ends April 5, 2018.
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