{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-education-7-1a-01","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Education § 7–1A–01","heading":"","body":"(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(b) “Cost of quality” means the per–pupil amount provided under § 5–229 of this article.\n(c) “Early childhood educator career ladder” means the career ladder for private provider prekindergarten educators established by the Department under § 7–1A–08 of this subtitle.\n(d) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an:\n(1) Eligible public provider; and\n(2) Eligible private provider.\n(e) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early learning program that:\n(i) Is licensed in the State;\n(ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than the cost of quality; and\n(iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.\n(2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program under § 5–231 of this article.\n(f) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that:\n(1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and\n(2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.\n(g) “Full–day prekindergarten” means an early learning program with a six and one–half hour school day.\n(h) “Prekindergarten program” means an early learning program at an eligible prekindergarten provider.\n(i) “Prekindergarten provider hub” means a coordinated partnership between eligible prekindergarten providers and other entities established by the Department under § 7–1A–09 of this subtitle.\n(j) “Prekindergarten slot” means the available space for a child to attend a prekindergarten program.\n(k) “Tier I child” means a child:\n(1) Who is 3 or 4 years old;\n(2) (i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level; or\n(ii) Who is a homeless youth; and\n(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten.\n(l) “Tier II child” means a child:\n(1) Who is 4 years old;\n(2) (i) In fiscal year 2026, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 360% of the federal poverty level; and\n(ii) In fiscal year 2027 and in each fiscal year thereafter, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and\n(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten.\n(m) “Tier III child” means a child:\n(1) Who is 4 years old;\n(2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and\n(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten.","path":["Article - Education"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged\u0026section=7-1A-01","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:38Z","sha256":"eb6dfd5cc06005658996a1d181b471b67316451ac74a73a837a2815cff4499bf","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-education-7-137","next":"us-md/md.-code-education-7-1a-02"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}