Maryland

Overview

During the 2021-2022 school year, Maryland preschool enrolled 29,318 children, an increase of 4,253 from the prior year, as the program began to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. State spending totaled $210,328,097, down $55,523,417 (21%), adjusted for inflation since last year. State spending per child equaled $7,174 in 2021-2022, down $3,432 from 2020-2021, adjusted for inflation. Maryland met 7 of 10 quality standards benchmarks.

What's New

House Bill 1300 “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” put in place an increase in preschool funding over the next 10 years to support prekindergarten expansion in the state. As a result, along with multiple education reforms, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is charged with establishing and implementing high-quality prekindergarten programming by expanding voluntary prekindergarten in a mixed- delivery system for 3- and 4-year-old children from families earning incomes at or below 300% FPL beginning in FY 2023.

Background

Maryland created the Extended Elementary Education Program (EEEP) in 1980 as a pilot preschool program in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County. The Maryland Prekindergarten Program was started in 2002, giving local boards of education until 2007 to provide pre-K in public schools to all 4-year-olds from families with incomes at or below 185% FPL. Maryland enacted the Prekindergarten Expansion Act in 2014, adding $4.3 million per year to increase access to full-day public pre-K for 4-year-olds from families with household incomes up to 300% FPL. 

The Division of Early Childhood (DEC) in the MSDE is responsible for early care and education. Funding for the Maryland Prekindergarten Program is provided through a school funding formula and is based on the K–12 per pupil amount, to support eligible children attending half-day programs. DEC staff monitor pre-K programs funded through the Prekindergarten Expansion Grants annually using a self-developed checklist. Prekindergarten Expansion Grantees are required to participate in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s QRIS, and are able to access targeted technical assistance. 

Maryland also has 60 “Judy Centers” located in Title 1 schools that work collaboratively with elementary schools and community-based providers to offer comprehensive, year-round early learning services for children birth to age six.

Maryland Prekindergarten Program

Access

Some Head Start children may also be counted in state pre-K. Estimates children in special education not also enrolled in state pre-K or Head Start.
Total state pre-K enrollment	29,318
School districts that offer state program	100%
Income requirement	185% FPL (part-day); 300% FPL (full-day)
Minimum hours of operation	2.5 hours/day; 5 days/week
Operating schedule	School or academic year
Special education enrollment, ages 3 and 4	7,911
Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4	6,898
State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4	0

Resources

Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures. Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds.