[§302A-449]  Title I-funded prekindergarten.  (a)  The department in its implementation of Title I-funded prekindergarten classrooms shall adhere to the quality standards incorporated by the executive office on early learning in the executive office on early learning public prekindergarten program pursuant to section 302L-7; provided that if any quality standard incorporated in the executive office on early learning public prekindergarten program is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition for the allocation of federal funds to the State, the department shall adhere to the federal requirements with respect to the conflicting standard, and this finding does not affect the requirement that the department adhere to the remainder of the quality standards incorporated in the executive office on early learning public prekindergarten program in its implementation of Title I-funded prekindergarten classrooms.

     (b)  The department shall work with the executive office on early learning regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment, family engagement, and transition of children in and out of the prekindergarten classroom.

     (c)  The department and executive office on early learning shall enter into a memorandum of agreement or memorandum of understanding for the executive office on early learning to provide ongoing professional development support for teachers and principals of Title I-funded prekindergarten classrooms.

     (d)  The department shall submit an annual report to the executive office on early learning on its implementation of Title I-funded prekindergarten classrooms, regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment, family engagement, and transition in and out of the classroom. [L 2019, c 276, §8]