In February 2024, the United States Department of Education released the Serving Preschool Children Through Title I, Part A of ESEA: Non-Regulatory Guidance to assist local educational agencies and schools in understanding, implementing, and expanding preschool programs supported with funds under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
The revised USDOE guidance details how Title IA funds can be used to support preschool in schoolwide programs, targeted assistance programs and districtwide programs, as well as who may participate in these programs. As required by the ESEA and indicated in the revised guidance, LEAs that use Title IA funds to provide preschool to children from low-income backgrounds must ensure that those services comply, at a minimum, with the Education and Child Development Program Services performance standards in effect under section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act. This compliance is to ensure LEAs and schools are implementing research-based strategies and best practices to support high-quality instruction for preschool students, especially children with disabilities and multilingual learners, which is essential to achieving educational equity and closing educational achievement gaps.
In addition, the New Jersey Department of Education has updated its Using Title I, Part A Funds for Preschool Programs guidance to further support LEAs and schools. Expanding access to high-quality preschool has been a core priority for New Jersey, and the guidance highlights how New Jersey’s LEAs and schools can expand preschool access and improve program quality by strengthening partnerships with Head Start and community- based organizations.
Please direct questions to the Office of Supplemental Educational Programs via email or the Division of Early Childhood Education via email.