§ 8281.5. — 8281.5. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 8, Sec. 5.)

California § 8281.5.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code EDC: Education Code - EDC
• Div.: 1.
• Title 1.: DIVISION 1. GENERAL EDUCATION CODE PROVISIONS
• Part 6.: PART 6. EDUCATION PROGRAMS—STATE MASTER PLANS
• Ch. 2.: CHAPTER 2. Early Education Act
• Art. 13.2.: ARTICLE 13.2. California Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant Program

Text

(a)
The California Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant Program is hereby established as a state early learning initiative with the goal of expanding access to classroom-based prekindergarten programs at local educational agencies.
(b)
For the 2021–22 fiscal year, the sum of three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the department for allocation to local educational agencies for the California Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant Program pursuant to this section. These funds shall be available for encumbrance until June 30, 2024.
(c)
(1)
Of the total amount appropriated under subdivision (b), the
Superintendent shall allocate two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) in the 2021–22 fiscal year to local educational agencies as follows:
(A)
A minimum base grant to all local educational agencies that operate kindergarten programs as determined using California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment from the 2020–21 certification, as follows:
(i)
For local educational agencies with an enrollment of 1 to 23 pupils, inclusive, the minimum base grant shall be twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
(ii)
For local educational agencies with an enrollment of 24 to 99 pupils, inclusive, the minimum base grant shall be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(iii)
For local educational agencies with an enrollment of 100 or more
pupils, the minimum base grant shall be one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(B)
A minimum base grant for each county office of education of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each local educational agency in their county that operates kindergarten programs to support countywide planning and capacity building.
(C)
Of the remaining funds after allocations under subparagraphs (A) and (B):
(i)
Sixty percent shall be available as enrollment grants. These grants shall be allocated based on the local educational agency’s proportional share of total California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment for the 2019–20 fiscal year, as applied to the total amount of program funds available for the enrollment grant. For purposes of this clause, the total statewide kindergarten enrollment
shall be calculated using the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment minus the transitional kindergarten program enrollment for the 2019–20 fiscal year for each local educational agency.
(ii)
Forty percent shall be available as supplemental grants. These grants shall be allocated based on the local educational agency’s California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment minus the transitional kindergarten program enrollment for the 2019–20 fiscal year, multiplied by the local educational agency’s unduplicated pupil percentage, as calculated pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 42238.02 or subdivision (b) of Section 2574 certified as of the second principal apportionment. Funds for this purpose shall be distributed percent-to-total from funds available for the supplemental grant.
(D)
Notwithstanding
any other law, any kindergarten enrollment reported by a county office of education shall be attributed to the school district of geographic residence.
(2)
Grant funds may be used for costs associated with creating or expanding California state preschool programs or transitional kindergarten programs, or to establish or strengthen partnerships with other providers of prekindergarten education within the local educational agency, including Head Start programs, to ensure that high-quality options for prekindergarten education are available for four-year-old children. Allowable costs include, but are not necessarily limited to, planning costs, hiring and recruitment costs, staff training and professional development, classroom materials, and supplies.
(3)
Local educational agencies receiving grants pursuant to this subdivision shall do both of the following:
(A)
Commit to providing program data to the department, as specified by the Superintendent, including, but not limited to, recipient information and participating in overall program evaluation.
(B)
Develop a plan for consideration by the governing board or body at a public meeting on or before June 30, 2022, for how all children in the attendance area of the local educational agency will have access to full-day learning programs the year before kindergarten that meet the needs of parents, including through partnerships with the local educational agency’s expanding learning offerings, the After School Education and Safety Program, the California state preschool program, Head Start programs, and other community-based early learning and care programs.
(4)
(A)
Funds that are allocated or awarded
pursuant to this subdivision shall be expended by June 30, 2028. Notwithstanding any other law, on June 30, 2030, any unexpended funds of the amount awarded for purposes of this subdivision shall revert to the General Fund.
(B)
The department shall initiate collection proceedings for grant funds used by local educational agencies in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of this section, including, but not limited to, failing to submit all required data pursuant to paragraph (3).
(C)
The
department may allocate or prorate any returned or collected funds pursuant to this subdivision for the purposes provided in subdivision (e).
(d)
(1)
For the 2022–23 fiscal year, the sum of three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the department for allocation to local educational agencies for the California Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant Program pursuant to this section. These funds shall be available for encumbrance until June 30, 2026. The Superintendent shall allocate funds to local educational agencies as follows:
(A)
A minimum base grant to all local educational agencies that operate kindergarten programs, as determined using California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment from the 2021–22 certification, as follows:
(i)
For local educational agencies with an enrollment of 1 to 500 pupils, inclusive, the minimum base grant shall be twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
(ii)
For local educational agencies with an enrollment of 501 or more pupils, the minimum base grant shall be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(B)
A minimum base grant for each county office of education of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each local educational agency in their county that operates kindergarten programs to support countywide planning and capacity building.
(C)
Of the funds remaining after the allocations pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B):
(i)
Sixty percent shall be available as enrollment grants. These grants
shall be allocated based on the local educational agency’s proportional share of total California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment for the 2021–22 fiscal year, as applied to the total amount of program funds available for the enrollment grant. For purposes of this clause, the total statewide kindergarten enrollment shall be calculated using the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment minus the transitional kindergarten program enrollment for the 2020–21 fiscal year for each local educational agency.
(ii)
Forty percent shall be available as supplemental grants. These grants shall be allocated based on the local educational agency’s California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Fall 1 kindergarten enrollment minus the transitional kindergarten program enrollment for the 2020–21 fiscal year, multiplied by the local educational agency’s unduplicated pupil
percentage, as calculated pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 42238.02 or subdivision (b) of Section 2574, as applicable, and certified as of the second principal apportionment. Funds for this purpose shall be distributed percent-to-total from funds available for the supplemental grant.
(D)
Notwithstanding any other law, any kindergarten enrollment reported by a county office of education shall be attributed to the school district of geographic residence.
(2)
Grant funds may be used for costs associated with creating or expanding California state preschool programs or transitional kindergarten programs, or to establish or strengthen partnerships with other providers of prekindergarten education within the local educational agency, including Head Start programs, to ensure that high-quality options for prekindergarten education are available for children four years of age.
Allowable costs shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, classroom operating costs, planning costs, hiring and recruitment costs, staff training and professional development, classroom materials, and supplies.
(3)
Local educational agencies receiving grants pursuant to this subdivision shall do all of the following:
(A)
Commit to providing program data to the department, as specified by the Superintendent, including, but not limited to, recipient information and participating in overall program evaluation.
(B)
If the local educational agency did not develop the plan required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c), develop a plan for consideration by the governing board or body at a public meeting on or before March 30, 2023, for how all children in the attendance area of the local
educational agency will have access to full-day learning programs the year before kindergarten that meet the needs of parents, including through partnerships with the local educational agency’s expanding learning offerings, the After School Education and Safety Program, the California state preschool program, Head Start programs, and other community-based early learning and care programs. A plan developed pursuant to this subparagraph satisfies the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c).
(C)
Ensure expenditures are consistent with their local plan adopted pursuant to subdivision (c).
(D)
Commit to planning with their county’s local planning council, local tribes, and the California state preschool program and Head Start program providers in their region.
(E)
Offer transitional
kindergarten to all eligible pupils interested in transitional kindergarten within their attendance area by the 2025–26 school year.
(4)
(A)
Funds allocated or awarded pursuant to this subdivision shall be expended by June 30,
2028. Notwithstanding any other law, on June 30, 2030, any unexpended funds of the amount awarded for purposes of this subdivision shall revert to the General Fund.
(B)
The department may allocate or prorate any returned or collected funds pursuant to this subdivision for the purposes provided in subdivision (e).
(5)
The department shall initiate collection proceedings for grant funds used by local educational agencies in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of this section, including, but not limited to, failing to submit all required data pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3).
(e)
(1)
(A)
Of the total amount appropriated under subdivision (b), the Superintendent shall award one hundred million dollars
($100,000,000) in competitive grants to local educational agencies to increase the number of highly-qualified teachers available to serve California state preschool programs and transitional kindergarten pupils, and to provide California state preschool program, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten teachers with training in providing instruction in inclusive classrooms, culturally responsive instruction, supporting dual language learners, enhancing social-emotional learning, implementing trauma-informed practices and restorative practices, and mitigating implicit biases to eliminate exclusionary discipline, pursuant to this section. These funds shall be available for encumbrance until June 30, 2024.
(B)
Any funds allocated for purposes of this subdivision pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) shall be available for encumbrance through June 30,
2030.
(2)
The Superintendent shall develop and administer a process to award grants under paragraph (1), subject to approval of the executive director of the state board, on a competitive basis to local educational agencies. To apply for a grant, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the department describing how it will allocate funds and increase either the number of credentialed teachers meeting the requirements of subdivision (g) of Section 48000, or the competencies of California state preschool programs, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten teachers to enhance their ability to provide instruction in inclusive classrooms, provide culturally responsive instruction, support dual language learners, enhance social-emotional learning, implement trauma-informed and restorative practices, and mitigate implicit biases to eliminate exclusionary discipline.
(3)
A local educational agency may apply on behalf of a consortium of providers within the local educational agency’s program area, including California state preschool programs and Head Start programs operated by community-based organizations.
(4)
An applicant shall demonstrate all of the following to be considered for a grant award:
(A)
A need for preschool and transitional kindergarten or kindergarten professional development in a region.
(B)
A need for preschool and transitional kindergarten teachers in a region.
(C)
The presence of, or plan to create, inclusive classroom settings.
(D)
The ability to connect the preschool,
transitional kindergarten, or kindergarten program to before and after school programs and extended day services.
(E)
A plan to integrate preschool, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten professional development opportunities.
(F)
A plan for recruiting new preschool, transitional kindergarten, or kindergarten teachers with experience in early learning and care settings and collaborating with institutions of higher education to ensure a qualified prekindergarten teacher pipeline.
(G)
A plan for how principals and administrators overseeing the transitional kindergarten program, or other prekindergarten program, will receive training and professional development on the value and tenets of effective instruction for young children.
(5)
In awarding
grants under paragraph (1), the Superintendent shall establish a methodology that accounts for all of the following:
(A)
The percentage of transitional kindergarten and kindergarten pupils eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
(B)
The percentage of dual language learners that the local educational agency is serving or is planning to serve in a California state preschool program or transitional kindergarten program.
(C)
The percentage of pupils with disabilities the local educational agency is serving or planning to serve in an inclusive California state preschool program or transitional kindergarten program.
(D)
The percentage of pupils served, or planned to be served, in full-day California state preschool, transitional kindergarten, or
kindergarten programs offered by the local educational agency or community-based organizations.
(E)
The extent to which applicants operate in an attendance area where a significant disproportionality of particular races or ethnicities, as described in Section 1418(d) of Title 20 of the United States Code, has been identified in special education.
(F)
The extent to which the local educational agency is located in an area that has more than three young children, three to five years of age, inclusive, for every licensed childcare slot.
(G)
The extent to which applicants plan to partner with community-based California state preschool programs and Head Start programs in their program area to ensure those teachers have access to professional development along with teachers employed by the local educational agency.
(6)
Grants awarded under paragraph (1) for professional development may be used for costs associated with the educational expenses of current and future California state preschool program, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten professionals that support their attainment of required credentials, permits, or professional development in early childhood instruction or child development, including developing competencies in serving inclusive classrooms and dual language learners. Professional development grant funds shall be used for any of the following purposes:
(A)
Tuition, supplies, and other related educational expenses.
(B)
Transportation and childcare costs incurred as a result of attending classes.
(C)
Substitute teacher pay for California state
preschool program, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten professionals that are currently working in a California state preschool program, transitional kindergarten, or kindergarten classroom.
(D)
Stipends and professional development expenses, as determined by the Superintendent.
(E)
Career, course, and professional development coaching, counseling, and navigation services.
(F)
Linked courses, cohorts, or apprenticeship models.
(G)
Training and professional development for principals and other administrators of transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, on the value and tenets of effective instruction for young children.
(H)
Other educational expenses,
as determined by the Superintendent.
(7)
Local educational agencies awarded funding pursuant to paragraph (1) may partner with local or online accredited institutions of higher education or local agencies that provide high-quality or credit-bearing trainings, or apprenticeship programs that integrate and embed higher education coursework with on-the-job training of professionals.
(8)
Professional learning provided pursuant to this subdivision shall, as applicable, be aligned to the preschool learning foundations and academic standards pursuant to Sections 51226, 60605, 60605.1, 60605.2, 60605.3, 60605.4, 60605.8, and 60605.11, as those sections read on June 30, 2020, and former Section 60605.85, as that section read on June 30, 2014.
(9)
Local educational agencies receiving grants under this subdivision shall commit
to providing program data to the department, as specified by the Superintendent, including, but not necessarily limited to, recipient information, including demographic information, educational progress, and the type of courses taken, and participating in overall program evaluation.
(10)
The Superintendent shall provide a report to the Department of Finance and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on or before October 1, 2024, on the expenditure of funds and relevant outcome data in order to evaluate the impact of the grants awarded under this subdivision.
(11)
(A)
Funds allocated or awarded pursuant to this subdivision shall be expended by June 30, 2028. Notwithstanding any other law, on June 30,
2029, any unexpended funds of the amount awarded for purposes of this subdivision shall revert to the General Fund.
(B)
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any unexpended funds allocated for purposes of this subdivision pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) shall be expended by June 30, 2030. Notwithstanding any other law, any unexpended funds of the amount awarded for purposes of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (c) and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) shall revert to the General Fund on June 30, 2031.
(f)
For purposes of this section, “local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
(g)
For purposes of making the computations required by Section 8 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, the appropriation made by subdivision (b) shall be deemed to be “General Fund revenues appropriated for school districts,” as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 41202, for the 2020–21 fiscal year, and included within the “total allocations to school districts and community college districts from General Fund proceeds of taxes appropriated pursuant to Article XIII
B,” as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 41202, for the 2020–21 fiscal year.
(h)
For purposes of making the computations required by Section 8 of Article XVI of the California
Constitution, the appropriation made by subdivision (d) shall be deemed to be “General Fund revenues appropriated for school districts,” as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 41202, for the 2021–22 fiscal year, and included within the “total allocations to school districts and community college districts from General Fund proceeds of taxes appropriated pursuant to Article XIII
B,” as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 41202, for the 2021–22 fiscal year.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 8, Sec. 5. (AB 121) Effective June 27, 2025.