An additional 3,000 4-year-olds living in poverty would be eligible for full-day preschool under proposed guidelines by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

The department wants to expand how it determines which children are eligible for more free preschool hours beyond the standard 15 hours guaranteed through its universal preschool program to all 4-year-olds the year before they start kindergarten. 

The state currently uses a list of what is known as “qualifying factors” to identify children who are more likely to fall behind in school because of life circumstances — including kids from low-income families, children who are homeless, kids with disabilities, students learning English and those living in foster care.

Kids who live in low-income households and who have at least one other qualifying factor can receive 30 hours of preschool each week this school year. 

The proposed change would add another qualifying factor: families living in poverty. That would guarantee free full-day preschool for children whose families earn less than 100% of the federal poverty guidelines — for instance, a family of four that earns an annual income of $30,000 or less.

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