Quality rating system
Prior to substantially increasing funding for early childhood education, lawmakers should monitor the progress of the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation and its efforts to identify successful early education practices. Using that research, the state should develop a quality rating system for providers based on child progress toward school readiness, not on compliance with regulatory mandates that may or may not improve the quality of a child's preparation for kindergarten.

Increased funding
An outcome-based quality rating system should be developed prior to substantial increases in early education funding. To the extent that funding is increased, resources should be given directly to low-income families to access the providers of their choice.