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Council committee hears broad early‑learning testimony; officials flag access gaps for three‑year‑olds and teacher pay concerns
Summary
The City Council’s committee convened a large panel—including MSDE, the ECAC, Head Start grantees, providers and union leaders—on LO250040 (First Step: Strong Start). Panelists highlighted progress in four‑year‑old coverage, MSDE’s $14.75M preschool development grant, and persistent gaps in access for three‑year‑olds, provider sustainability and workforce wages.
Baltimore City Council leaders and a wide panel of state and local officials outlined progress and persistent gaps in early learning during a lengthy committee hearing on LO250040.
“Most of us that are sitting up here are parents,” Council President Nick J. Cohen said in opening remarks, arguing that expanding high‑quality pre‑K is central to long‑term educational and economic goals. He and other council members framed the hearing as a step toward implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future in Baltimore.
Key findings and announcements
- State Preschool Development Grant: Jenna Smith of the Maryland State Department of Education said MSDE was awarded a one‑year $14.75 million preschool development grant to advance mixed‑delivery capacity, unify the early‑childhood system, expand access and pilot a centralized pre‑K enrollment portal. MSDE also described a $500,000 congressional earmark to support portal development.
- City coverage for four‑year‑olds: City Schools’ Crystal Francis said the district now offers approximately 4,100 pre‑K seats for four‑year‑olds and is operating a centralized…
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