HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

864

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to implement, upon its ratification, the amendment to article X, section 1, of the Hawaii state constitution, which would permit the appropriation of public funds for private early childhood education programs, by establishing a statewide early childhood education program consisting of providers of high-quality early childhood education to assist families in establishing a solid foundation for success in school so that children graduate from high school prepared for college and a career.

     Significant research affirms the positive effects of high-quality early childhood education programs on the physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional outcomes of young children.

     For example, early childhood education is one way to reduce high school dropout rates.  A report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2011, and updated in 2012, found that students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school without a diploma, when compared to their counterparts who are proficient readers.  The number increases when those students come from low-income families.  After third grade, students use their reading skills to learn other subjects, and if they do not have the skills by then, they will be faced with enormous challenges.

     When provided with opportunities for early childhood education, children are more likely to succeed in kindergarten and beyond, and more likely to grow into healthy, capable, and contributing adults.  Research emphasizes that high-quality programs are necessary to produce positive outcomes for children, both in the near- and long-term.  Studies have proven that high-quality early childhood education programs are especially effective for at-risk children, including children from low-income families and otherwise disadvantaged children, with the great potential to alter their lifetime trajectories for success.

     Well-executed and well-targeted early childhood education programs have immediate and long-term benefits not only for the children participating in the programs, but also for the societies in which they live, as determined by seminal studies such as those conducted by the HighScope and Chicago Parent-Child Centers programs.  Societies that invest in such programs realize higher levels of educational attainment; reduced homelessness, crime, and substance abuse rates; improved health; and better overall social and economic well-being.  A 2008 study commissioned by the Good Beginnings Alliance found that every dollar invested today in high-quality early childhood education for Hawaii generates more than four dollars in future savings and increased earnings through state, federal, and social benefits.

     The purpose of this Act, therefore, is to establish an early childhood education program as part of the State's early learning system.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302L, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302L-     Early childhood education program.  (a)  There is established within the early learning system an early childhood education program to be administered by the office.  The program shall:

     (1)  Prepare children for school; and

     (2)  Provide access to high-quality early childhood education that addresses children's physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development.

     (b)  The early childhood education program shall serve three- and four-year-old children, with priority extended to:

     (1)  Four-year-old children; and

     (2)  Underserved or at-risk children.

     (c)  Enrollment in the early childhood education program shall be voluntary.  Families of enrolled children shall share in the costs of the program through a copayment according to a sliding fee scale that is based on need and through fulfillment of family participation requirements, pursuant to rules adopted by the office.  Children who are enrolled in or eligible for public elementary education shall not be eligible for enrollment in the early childhood education program.

     (d)  The office may contract with eligible providers of early childhood education to increase the capacity of the early childhood education program to provide high-quality early childhood education to children across the State.  Eligible providers shall meet, or develop plans to meet, the standards established under the program pursuant to rules adopted by the office.  The office may provide support to providers to meet these standards.

     Contract payments shall be made to the providers.

     (e)  The early childhood education program standards shall:

     (1)  Include research-based, developmentally appropriate practices that are associated with better educational outcomes for children, such as one teacher with a bachelor's degree with twelve credits in early childhood education or child development, curriculum aligned with the Hawaii Early Learning and Development Standards, and individual assessments of children based on all areas of childhood development and learning including cognitive, linguistic, social-emotional approaches to learning, health, and physical development; and

     (2)  Align with the state content and performance standards for grades kindergarten to twelve to facilitate a seamless and high-quality educational experience for children.

     (f)  The office shall coordinate with other agencies and programs to facilitate comprehensive services for early childhood education.

     (g)  The office shall collect data to evaluate services provided, inform sound policy, and improve the provision of early childhood education through the early childhood education program.

     (h)  The office shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and upon ratification of the constitutional amendment permitting the appropriation of public funds for private early childhood education programs.



 

Report Title:

Early Childhood Education Program

 

Description:

Establishes the Early Childhood Education Program within the Early Learning System.  Effective upon the ratification of the proposed constitutional amendment permitting public funds for private early childhood education programs.  (HB864 HD1)

 

 

 

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