State of Preschool
Maryland
Access Rankings
4-year-Olds
17
3-year-Olds
19
Resource Rankings
State spending
18
All reported spending
8
Total Benchmarks Met
Of 10 benchmarks possible
8
Overview
During the 2022-2023 school year, Maryland preschool enrolled 31,907 children, an increase of 2,589 from the prior year. State spending totaled $224,382,022, down $44,138, adjusted for inflation, since last year. State spending per child equaled $7,032 in 2022-2023, down $623 from 2021-2022, adjusted for inflation. Maryland met 8 of 10 quality standards benchmarks.
What's New
Maryland Code, Education, § 5-401“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 82 “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 five.
Maryland Prekindergarten Program
Access
| |
| Total state pre-K enrollment | 31,907 |
| 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 | 9,715 |
| Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 5,813 |
| State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 0 |
Resources
| Total state pre-K spending | $224,382,022 |
| Local match required? | No |
| State Head Start spending | $2,440,960 |
| State spending per child enrolled | $7,032 |
| All reported spending per child enrolled* | $11,772 |
*Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. †Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds. ‡K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures.
Maryland Quality Standards Checklist
| Policy | Requirement | Benchmark | Meets Benchmark? |
|---|---|---|---|
For more information about the benchmarks, see the Executive Summary and the Roadmap to State pages. | 8benchmarks met | ||
| Early Learning & Development Standards Benchmark | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | |
| Curriculum Supports Benchmark | Approval process & supports | Approval process & supports | |
| Teacher Degree Benchmark | BA | BA | |
| Teacher Specialized Training Benchmark | ECE | Specializing in pre-K | |
| Assistant Teacher Degree Benchmark | HSD | CDA or equivalent | |
| Staff Professional Development Benchmark | 6 credit hours/5 years (teachers); 24 hours/year (assistants); PD plans | For teachers & assistants: At least 15 hours/year; individual PD plans; coaching | |
| Maximum Class Size Benchmark | 20 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 20 or lower | |
| Staff to Child Ratio Benchmark | 1:10 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 1:10 or better | |
| Screening & Referral Benchmark | Vision, hearing, health & more | Vision, hearing & health screenings; & referral | |
| Continuous Quality Improvement System Benchmark | Structured classroom observations; Data used for program improvement | Structured classroom observations; data used for program improvement | |