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SB 3147

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island establishes a statewide, mixed-delivery high-quality pre-K program for 3- and 4-year-olds with a 70% enrollment target, funding, and improved teacher standards.

05/29/2026 Referred to House Finance
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Bill Summary · SB 3147

Summary of SB 3147 (Rhode Island) — Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act

Session: 2026 | Jurisdiction: Rhode Island | Introduced: March 27, 2026 | Referred to: Senate Education

1) Main purpose and intent

  • Establishes and expands a publicly funded, high-quality prekindergarten (pre-K) program for children ages 3 and 4.
  • Aims to improve school readiness, advance educational outcomes, and coordinate a statewide, mixed-delivery system (state-managed program, Head Start, local education agencies, licensed child care providers) to ensure broad access and quality.
  • Seeks to sustain and expand both the state pre-K program and Head Start, with attention to teacher wages/benefits and standardized high-quality practices.

2) Key provisions and changes

A. Findings (Section 16-87-2)

  • Reaffirms that high-quality early childhood education yields social, cognitive, and long-term public cost savings (e.g., reduced need for special education, welfare, and incarceration).
  • Recognizes Rhode Island’s existing network of early childhood programs and the need to prepare all children for school success, with emphasis on three- and four-year-olds across multiple delivery models.
  • Highlights Head Start’s role in delivering comprehensive services and the state’s investment in Head Start to support salaries and required state/local match.

B. Early childhood workforce development (Section 16-87-4)

  • Tasks the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to collaborate with other state agencies and private partners to sustain and expand the TEACH Early Childhood scholarship program, which supports workforce development from birth to age five.
  • Requires a working group (by January 1, 2023, and recommendations by April 1, 2023) to identify barriers to entering the early childhood workforce and design accessible pathways (e.g., apprenticeships, prior experience credit). Note: The dates referenced appear in the act as historical benchmarks; the bill as introduced would require DESE to continue/implement related actions.

C. Prekindergarten implementation and expansion (Section 16-87-8)

  • Establishes a statewide pre-K program model managed by DESE.
  • Creation of a mixed-delivery system intended to include:
    • DESE-operated state program
    • Head Start programs
    • Local education agencies (LEAs)
    • Licensed center-based child care providers
    • Licensed family child care providers or networks
  • Goal: enroll at least 70% of all children ages 3 and 4 in high-quality pre-K options.
  • DESE is authorized to promulgate rules/regulations for implementation.
  • Quality standards to be defined in regulations and aligned with or exceed:
    • National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) quality standards
    • Head Start Performance Standards
  • Quality standards must cover:
    • Teacher education and certification
    • Class size and staff ratios
    • Learning time
    • Developmentally appropriate, evidence-based learning standards
    • Play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum
    • Inclusion and support for students with special needs (aligned with IDEA)
    • Support for English language learners
    • Professional development
    • Child assessments
    • Observations and coaching to improve practice
  • Standards may differentiate by setting and may leverage Head Start oversight where appropriate.
  • Funding and sustainability: State funds for the state-managed pre-K and for Head Start expansion should be allocated and adjusted to ensure teacher wages/benefits are competitive with similarly qualified kindergarten teachers.

D. Effective date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

3) Who/what is affected

  • Children ages 3 and 4 across Rhode Island (by expanding access through a mixed-delivery pre-K system).
  • DESE (as the lead agency) and the Department of Human Services (for Head Start-related aspects).
  • Head Start programs in Rhode Island (state-managed and federally funded).
  • Local Education Agencies (LEAs), licensed center-based child care providers, and licensed family child care providers/networks.
  • Early childhood educators (through TEACH program and wage/benefit alignment).
  • Stakeholders in workforce development (governor’s workforce board, postsecondary sector, organized labor, early childhood employers).

4) Procedural and timeline notes

  • Initial findings and workforce workgroup references indicate actions with 2023 milestones, which may reflect transitional language from prior versions; the bill’s core provisions are aimed at ongoing implementation rather than a single deadline.
  • Key implementation steps:
    • DESE to promulgate rules/regulations for the state-managed pre-K, including quality standards (target: align with NIEER/Head Start standards).
    • Establishment and expansion of the mixed-delivery model with a 70% enrollment goal for 3- and 4-year-olds.
    • Coordination with Head Start and other partners to ensure wage competitiveness for pre-K teachers.
  • Effective date: upon passage of the act.

5) Practical impact

  • Expected expansion of access to high-quality pre-K for a majority of Rhode Island’s 3- and 4-year-olds.
  • Enhanced standards across providers to ensure consistent, research-based quality.
  • Greater emphasis on workforce development and competitive compensation to attract and retain qualified early childhood educators.
  • Increased coordination among state agencies and Head Start to deliver comprehensive services to families.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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