Kimberly Velati, Bureau Chief for Early Childhood at the Department of Education, briefed the board on preschool programming, delivery models, program scale and outcomes.

Velati outlined four main program types: the statewide voluntary preschool program (the largest by enrollment), the Shared Visions competitive grant program for at-risk children, Early Head Start/Head Start partnerships (noting the department does not monitor Head Start grantees), and early childhood special education services. She told the board that in 2023-24 the statewide voluntary preschool program served just over 28,000 four-year-olds and Shared Visions served about 1,103 three- and four-year-olds; Head Start served roughly 5,000 in 2023-24 and about 4,100 preschoolers with IEPs were served across Department-affiliated programs.

Velati described the required preschool assessment (six domains) and shared results indicating growth for 3- and 4-year-olds but said language development remains an area for targeted improvement. The department is expanding professional development, extending LETRS-related supports into early childhood, piloting preschool MTSS models, and exploring a preschool accountability construct that could draw on multiple data sources (including the department's assessment and HHS quality-rating data).

Velati also described how programs braid funding—state preschool, Shared Visions grants, Title I, special education funds and HHS childcare funding—to provide full-day options for families. She noted two counties with limited options and emphasized the ongoing goal of expanding access for three-year-olds where funding permits.

Ending: Velati offered to provide specific data on three-year-old special education counts on request and said bureau staff will continue standards revision, MTSS pilots, and work to better coordinate data across agencies.