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HB 1475

Maryland State Department of Education - Publicly Funded Prekindergarten - Analysis and Report (Mixed Delivery Model Viability Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vanessa Atterbeary and 17 co-sponsors

Maryland requires education officials to study mixing public school pre-K with private providers to expand access and assess implementation feasibility and quality standards.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 374
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Bill Summary · HB 1475

Legislative bill overview

HB 1475 requires the Maryland State Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive analysis and report on the viability of a "mixed delivery model" for publicly funded prekindergarten programs. This model would combine traditional public school-based pre-K with alternative providers (private centers, family child care homes, etc.) to expand access while managing costs. The bill mandates specific findings on implementation feasibility, funding mechanisms, quality standards, and equity considerations.

Why is this important

Pre-K access significantly impacts early childhood development, school readiness, and long-term educational outcomes, particularly for low-income families. Maryland's current pre-K system may not serve all eligible children due to capacity and funding constraints. A mixed delivery model could expand access while potentially reducing per-pupil costs, but implementation raises questions about quality consistency, equitable access, and workforce standards across different provider types.

Potential points of contention

  • Quality and accountability concerns: Private providers operate under different regulatory standards than public schools; ensuring consistent quality and curriculum alignment across a mixed system is challenging
  • Equity access: Risk that private providers cluster in affluent areas, leaving underserved communities with only public options or no options, exacerbating existing disparities
  • Funding and accountability: Questions about how public funds flow to private providers, whether taxpayer money subsidizes for-profit entities, and what oversight mechanisms prevent fraud or misuse

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

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