Kindergarten readiness programs.

WORKING DRAFT
2012
STATE OF
WYOMING
12LSO-0226

HOUSE BILL
NO.
HB0074

Kindergarten readiness programs.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Connolly, Blikre, Greene, Harshman, Roscoe, Throne and Wallis and Senator(s) Anderson, Barnard and Rothfuss

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to
early childhood development,

kindergarten readiness and early literacy development; providing for development of policy and
system
structure through statewide consensus discussions as specified; prescribing duties; providing an appropriation;
and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

(a)

The department of workforce services shall conduct
a series of statewide discussions to develop
state policy on comprehensive
early childhood development,
kindergarten readiness and early literacy development.
For purposes of this section, relevant stakeholders include
but
are not limited to
representatives
of parents, advocacy groups, teachers, the department of health,
the University of Wyoming
literacy
faculty,
the department of family services, the department of workforce services, the department of corrections, the department of education, the early childhood state advisory council
,

chil
d care providers
,

kindergarten teachers and advocacy groups
. Results of th
e
s
e
discussion
s
shall be used
to

develop state policy and guid
e

the sustainability of systems by
addressing:

(i)

Kindergarten
readiness
as
defined

through a comprehensive
system
providing clear and comprehensive guidelines
to ensure
children entering school are ready for kindergarten;

(ii)

Development of early learning standards that
:

(
A
)

Address cognitive language
, motor and social emotional
development as well as physical
and mental
health
;

(
B
)

Include child outcomes
.

(i
ii
)

Coordination and effectiveness
of existing early childhood resources available to the state, which shall ensure existing government support is provided to high-need children in a coordinated, streamlined and effective manner
,
together with a review of funding sources available for program provision
;

(
i
v)

Developmentally appropriate
and effective, evidence-based early literacy

strategies
with
recommendations
for:

(A)

Inclusion of families in early literacy development; and

(B)

Professional development pathways to deliver knowledge and skills to early childhood professionals.

(v)

Continued p
arental involvement in
the development of state policy;

(vi)

Affordable access to quality early childhood development systems that promote kindergarten readiness for all children.

(b)

The department of workforce services may contract with appropriate persons and organizations to conduct the consensus discussions required under subsection (a) of this section and to assist with work necessary to establish policies and
systems
required under subsection (a) of this section. Progress on consensus discussions and policy development shall be reported to the joint education interim committee, culminating in a final report to the committee to be submitted on or before
October
15, 2012. The final report shall be comprised of policy recommendations addressing those issues identified in subsection (a) of this section, together with necessary enabling legislation. Broad public
involvement
shall be documented in the report, which shall serve as the basis for development of uniform policy on
early childhood development,

kindergarten readiness and early literacy development.

(c)

One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) is appropriated from the school foundation program account
to the department of workforce services for the period commencing on the effective date of this section and ending June 30, 2013. The department shall expend monies appropriated under this subsection to conduct consensus discussions and to develop policy and processes specified under this section, and may use these monies to contract with appropriate persons and organizations as authorized under subsection (b) of this section.

Section 2.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

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HB0074