SB 6244 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

     Declares an intent to establish a process for public and nonpublic prekindergarten programs to seek voluntary accreditation, by the state board of education, of their child development and educational offerings.  The purpose of the accreditation is to give parents and other consumers of prekindergarten programs some standard to use to assess the quality of prekindergarten programs and the program's ability to prepare children for kindergarten.

     Requires the state board of education to adopt standards and procedures for the accreditation of all public and nonpublic prekindergarten programs.  Such programs are encouraged to apply for accreditation.  In developing standards, the state board of education shall review nationally developed standards.

     Directs the state board of education to post a list of accredited prekindergarten programs on the board's internet web site.

     Provides that no public or nonpublic entity may advertise that it is an accredited prekindergarten program unless its educational program has been accredited under this act.  Any person who intentionally and falsely advertises that a prekindergarten program is accredited by the state board of education is guilty of a misdemeanor, the fine for which shall be no more than one hundred dollars.  Each day that the violation continues shall be considered a separate violation.