The conversation around the future of Pre-K education in Massachusetts was the focus of a regional community meeting hosted by an inter-agency task force charged with providing a blueprint for expanding early educational opportunities.
The listening session, one of 14 across the state, was held this week at Bristol Community College and hosted by Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. He said the goal, over the next three years, is to devise and put a plan in place to expand pre-k opportunities to all.
Among those providing testimony were representatives of private early child centers. Noelle D’Intino runs an early learning center in North Attleboro and provides consulting services to other private centers. She is concerned about finding funding to hire qualified staff while making services affordable to parents. She also questions how private centers will be supported if the state follows through on a goal of universal Pre-K access across Massachusetts.
The task force is scheduled to submit its first report on its progress to Governor Maura Healey by the end of the year.
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