Education-early childhood programs-2.

WORKING DRAFT
2014
STATE OF
WYOMING
14LSO-0369

HOUSE BILL
NO.

HB0081

Education-early childhood programs-2.

Sponsored by:
Joint Education Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to early childhood education and development programs;
providing for coordination of
state early childhood education programs
within the department of education
and accordingly granting authority and imposing responsibilities; providing resources to supplement local and private funds for the development and extension of early childhood education programs;
establishing a grant program for high quality programs provided by school districts and
nonprofit
service providers;
specifying conditions for resource assistance and grants; imposing reporting requirements;

granting rulemaking authority;
providing appropriations; and providing for effective date
s
.

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

Section

1.

W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(
a) by creating a new paragraph (xxxv)
, as amended by 2013 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 1,
is amended to read:

21
‑
2
‑
202.

Duties of the director.

(a)

In addition to any other duties assig
ned by law, the director shall:

(xxxv)

Coordinate early childhood education programs provided by the department of education, the department of family services, the department of health and the department of workforce services, including programs targeting educationally disadvantaged children, and provide support to local governments, political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations and private entities in developing and expanding early childhood education programs providing education and care for children in preparation for successful learning in the public education system.

Section 2.

(a)

In addition to reporting requirements imposed under sections 3 and 4 of this act, the director shall
report to the joint education interim committee by not later than December 1, 2015, on the following:

(
i
)

Development of a long-term state strategic plan endorsed by the state board of education and each participating state agency which provides for the development of broad based dissemination and use of early learning foundations, implementation of professional training in these foundations at the local level, assessment and progress reporting of statewide implementation of early learning foundations and identification of statewide long-term goals and objectives;

(ii)

Agreement between the department of education, the department of family services, the department of health and the department of workforce services on the contribution and support of each agency to the development and achievement of the long-term state strategic plan established pursuant to paragraph (
i
) of this subsection supporting systems for local program development, improvement and sustenance;

(iii)

Through collaboration and consultation with school districts, local early childhood education and
care program providers and the statewide education longitudinal data system, link child outcome and program assessment data to inform policy making for continuous improvement.

(b)

For purposes of carrying out this section and administering sections 3 and 4 of this act, an amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of the total amount appropriated under sections 3 and 4 of this act shall be available to the director for the period commencing on the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2017.

Section 3.

(a)

Except for administrative expenditures as authorized by section 5(a) of this act, for the period commencing July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2017, and subject to limitations specified within this section, five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of education for supplementing not supplanting amounts available locally and otherwise for collaborative work between local governments and political subdivisions, state agencies, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders in developing and
extending a comprehensive early childhood education and development system within respective jurisdictions. Comprehensive early childhood education and development systems shall encompass multiple domains which focus on critical components necessary for childhood well-being and success in kindergarten and beyond.

(b)

The director, in consultation with the department of education, department of family services, department of health, department of workforce services and the Wyoming early childhood state advisory council, and subject to the purposes, expenditure criteria, evaluation, accountability and reporting requirements established pursuant to section 2 of this act, shall expend the amount appropriated by subsection (a) of this section together with any funds received from private sources, to:

(
i
)

Identify local governments, political subdivisions or nonprofits within the state in which there is a documented need supported by strong local leadership to develop stakeholder communication including parents and families, physical and mental health providers, early care and education professionals, kindergarten through grade twelve (12) education professionals and the broader local
community, including its services, support systems, businesses, churches and individuals, to engage in a collaboration with state agencies, to undertake strategic planning and action focused on improvement of the well-being of its children and families;

(ii)

Encourage collaborative work toward a system of services and support that:

(A)

Honors the fact that families are a child's first and most important teacher;

(B)

Recognizes
the role of families and communities in assisting children to become ready for school success;

(C)

Serves as a resource within the community, not a replacement or supplement to successful and necessary programs and services which may exist;

(D)

Identifies a shared definition or understanding for school readiness that assists individuals with taking ownership of respective roles in preparing children for lifetime success;

(E)

Provides a seamless transition between early childhood education and development and kindergarten through grade twelve (12) education programs;

(F)

Engages and supports parents and families;

(G)

Focuses on early literacy; and

(H)

Creates dynamic connections across a system to share information and resources.

Section 4.

(a)

Except for administrative expenditures authorized under section 5(a) of this act, in addition to section 3 of this act and for the period commencing July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2017, one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of education for a grant program available to school districts or other nonprofit service providers for developing, enhancing and sustaining high quality early childhood education programs, including programs targeting
educationally disadvantaged children. Program grants shall be available under this section for supplementing not supplanting

amounts available locally and otherwise subject to the purposes, expenditure criteria, evaluation, accountability and reporting requirements established by the director pursuant to section 2 of this act in consultation with the department of education, department of family services, department of health, department of workforce services and the Wyoming early childhood state advisory council, including:

(
i
)

Initiation or completion of a community needs assessment and strategic plan for the creation of early childhood education services and supports;

(ii)

Identification of local resources and services for prekindergarten children and an evaluation of local programs and support services;

(iii)

Coordination and expansion of infrastructure to support high-quality early childhood education programs;

(iv)

Collaboration
with classroom teachers, parents, community, volunteer and social service agencies and organizations;

(v)

Development of program components focusing on early childhood literacy;

(vi)

Professional
development and training.

(b)

A process for grant administration under this section shall be established by rule and regulation of the director, promulgated in sufficient time to enable awarding of grants to applicant school districts and nonprofit service providers during school year 2014
‑
2015. Notice of the grant program together with necessary application forms and program information shall be provided to school districts and existing nonprofit service providers operating in the state not later than May 1, 2014. Evaluation of applications shall be based upon criteria specified in subsection (a) of this section and no district or nonprofit service provider shall be awarded more than one (1) grant under this section. In determining grant amounts consideration shall be given to the following:

(
i
)

The number of children estimated to participate or currently participating in the program;

(ii)

The total program costs;

(iii)

The total amounts available locally or otherwise for the program for which the grant is to supplement;

(iv)

A
maximum award amount of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00).

(c)

Each grant recipient shall report to the director on the expenditure of grant amounts awarded under this section, including the number of children served by the early childhood education program and support services, the impact of the award on total program delivery, the ability of the community to address early childhood education needs through use of the grant award and other criteria established under section 2 of this act.

Section 5.

(a)

Notwithstanding sections 3(a) and 4(a) of this act, up to five percent (5%) of the general fund appropriation for assistance and grants under sections 3 and 4 of this act, as authorized under section 2 of this act, may be appropriated on the effective date of this act.

(b)

On before December 1, 2014, and each December 1 thereafter through December 1, 2017, the director shall report expenditures of amounts appropriated under section 3 of this act, together with a compilation of reports collected under section 4(c) of this act, to the joint education and the joint labor, health and social services interim committees. The director shall recommend any modification to the supplemental assistance and grant programs funded under this act, together with any future funding sources.

Section 6.

W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
202(
a) by creating a new paragraph (xxxv)
, as in effect prior to the enactment of
2013
Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 1,
is amended to read:

21
‑
2
‑
202.

Duties of the
state superintendent
.

(a)

In addition to any other duties assigned by law,
the
state superintendent
shall:

(xxxv)

Coordinate early childhood education programs provided by the department of education, the department of family services, the department of health and the department of workforce services, including programs targeting educationally disadvantaged children, and provide support to local governments, political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations and private entities in developing and expanding early childhood education programs providing education and care for children in preparation for successful learning in the public education system.

Section 7.

(a)

In addition to reporting requirements imposed under sections 8 and 9 of this act, the
department of education
shall report to the joint education interim committee by not later than December 1, 2015, on the following:

(
i
)

Development of a long-term state strategic plan endorsed by the state board of education and each participating state agency which provides for the
development of broad based dissemination and use of early learning foundations, implementation of professional training in these foundations at the local level, assessment and progress reporting of statewide implementation of early learning foundations and identification of statewide long-term goals and objectives;

(ii)

Agreement between the department of education, the department of family services, the department of health and the department of workforce services on the contribution and support of each agency to the development and achievement of the long-term state strategic plan established pursuant to paragraph (
i
) of this subsection supporting systems for local program development, improvement and sustenance;

(iii)

Through collaboration and consultation with school districts, local early childhood education and care program providers and the statewide education longitudinal data system, link child outcome and program assessment data to inform policy making for continuous improvement.

(b)

For purposes of carrying out this section and administering sections 8 and 9 of this act, an amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of the total amount appropriated under sections 8 and 9 of this act shall be available to the
department of education
for the period commencing on the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2017.

Section 8.

(a)

Except for administrative expenditures as authorized by section 10(a) of this act, for the period commencing July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2017, and subject to limitations specified within this section, five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of education for supplementing not supplanting amounts available locally and otherwise for collaborative work between local governments and political subdivisions, state agencies, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders in developing and extending a comprehensive early childhood education and development system within respective jurisdictions. Comprehensive early childhood education and development systems shall encompass multiple domains which focus on
critical components necessary for childhood well-being and success in kindergarten and beyond.

(b)

The
department of education
, in consultation with
the
department of family services, department of health, department of workforce services and the Wyoming early childhood state advisory council, and subject to the purposes, expenditure criteria, evaluation, accountability and reporting requirements established pursuant to section 7 of this act, shall expend the amount appropriated by subsection (a) of this section together with any funds received from private sources, to:

(
i
)

Identify local governments, political subdivisions or nonprofits within the state in which there is a documented need supported by strong local leadership to develop stakeholder communication including parents and families, physical and mental health providers, early care and education professionals, kindergarten through grade twelve (12) education professionals and the broader local community, including its services, support systems, businesses, churches and individuals, to engage in a collaboration with state agencies, to undertake strategic
planning and action focused on improvement of the well-being of its children and families;

(ii)

Encourage collaborative work toward a system of services and support that:

(A)

Honors the fact that families are a child's first and most important teacher;

(B)

Recognizes
the role of families and communities in assisting children to become ready for school success;

(C)

Serves as a resource within the community, not a replacement or supplement to successful and necessary programs and services which may exist;

(D)

Identifies a shared definition or understanding for school readiness that assists individuals with taking ownership of respective roles in preparing children for lifetime success;

(E)

Provides a seamless transition between early childhood education and development and kindergarten through grade twelve (12) education programs;

(F)

Engages and supports parents and families;

(G)

Focuses on early literacy; and

(H)

Creates dynamic connections across a system to share information and resources.

Section 9.

(a)

Except for administrative expenditures authorized under section 10(a) of this act, in addition to section 8 of this act and for the period commencing July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2017, one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of education for a grant program available to school districts or other nonprofit service providers for developing, enhancing and sustaining high quality early childhood education programs, including programs targeting educationally disadvantaged children. Program grants shall
be available under this section for supplementing not supplanting

amounts available locally and otherwise subject to the purposes, expenditure criteria, evaluation, accountability and reporting requirements established by the
department of education
pursuant to section 7 of this act in consultation with the department of family services, department of health, department of workforce services and the Wyoming early childhood state advisory council, including:

(
i
)

Initiation or completion of a community needs assessment and strategic plan for the creation of early childhood education services and supports;

(ii)

Identification of local resources and services for prekindergarten children and an evaluation of local programs and support services;

(iii)

Coordination and expansion of infrastructure to support high-quality early childhood education programs;

(iv)

Collaboration
with classroom teachers, parents, community, volunteer and social service agencies and organizations;

(v)

Development of program components focusing on early childhood literacy;

(vi)

Professional
development and training.

(b)

A process for grant administration under this section shall be established by rule and regulation of the
department of education
, promulgated in sufficient time to enable awarding of grants to applicant school districts and nonprofit service providers during school year 2014
‑
2015. Notice of the grant program together with necessary application forms and program information shall be provided to school districts and existing nonprofit service providers operating in the state not later than May 1, 2014. Evaluation of applications shall be based upon criteria specified in subsection (a) of this section and no district or nonprofit service provider shall be awarded more than one (1) grant under this section. In determining grant amounts consideration shall be given to the following:

(
i
)

The number of children estimated to participate or currently participating in the program;

(ii)

The total program costs;

(iii)

The total amounts available locally or otherwise for the program for which the grant is to supplement;

(iv)

A
maximum award amount of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00).

(c)

Each grant recipient shall report to the
department of education
on the expenditure of grant amounts awarded under this section, including the number of children served by the early childhood education program and support services, the impact of the award on total program delivery, the ability of the community to address early childhood education needs through use of the grant award and other criteria established under section 7 of this act.

Section 10.

(a)

Notwithstanding
sub
sections 8(a) and 9(a) of this act, up to five percent (5%) of the general fund appropriation for assistance and grants under sections 8 and 9 of this act, as authorized under section 7 of this act, may be appropriated on the effective date of this act.

(b)

On
or
before December 1, 2014, and each December 1 thereafter through December 1, 2017, the
department of education
shall report expenditures of amounts appropriated under
sub
section 8 of this act, together with a compilation of reports collected under
sub
section 9(c) of this act, to the joint education and the joint labor, health and social services interim committees. The
department
shall recommend any modification to the supplemental assistance and grant programs funded under this act, together with any future funding sources.

Section 11.

(a)

Sections 1 through 5 of this act are
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
, only if sections 6 through 10 of
this act are not effective as provided by subsection (b) of this section.

(b)

If a final order by the district court of Laramie County, Wyoming, is issued implementing without change the final ruling of the Wyoming Supreme Court issued January 28, 2014, in the case of
Kerry and Clara Powers, on behalf of themselves and the citizens of Wyoming, and Cindy Hill, on behalf of herself and as the Superintendent of Public Instruction v. State of Wyoming and Matthew H. Mead, Governor, in his official capacity [Docket No. S-13-0052]
,
then upon expiration of time for appeal of that order, or if appealed, upon issuance of a final order or mandate of the Wyoming Supreme Court confirming the district court final order, the Governor shall certify the entry of the district court final order. The Governor shall immediately file any certification under this section together with the final order with the secretary of state. Upon filing the certification with the secretary of state, sections 6 through 10 of this act are effective and shall supersede section
s 1 through 5
of this act.

(END)

1
HB0081