HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 2867

As Passed House:

February 15, 2010

Title: An act relating to early learning.

Brief Description: Promoting early learning.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Sells, White, Hunt, Chase, Kessler, Morrell, Van De Wege, Kenney and Hasegawa; by request of Governor Gregoire).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Early Learning & Children's Services: 1/19/10, 2/2/10 [DPS];

Ways & Means: 2/6/10, 2/8/10 [DP2S(w/o sub ELCS)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/15/10, 66-32.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Roberts, Vice Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Goodman and Seaquist.

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Sullivan, Vice Chair; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew, Priest and Seaquist.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hinkle, Ross and Schmick.

Staff: Wendy Polzin (786-7137).

Background:

Department of Early Learning.

Created by the Legislature in 2006, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) is charged with implementing state early learning policy and coordinating, consolidating, and integrating child care and early learning programs. One of the purposes underlying the creation of the DEL is to promote linkages and alignment between early learning programs and elementary schools. The DEL has approached a number of its initiatives over the past three years with the ultimate goal of improving school readiness for Washington's children.

Thrive by Five Washington.

Thrive by Five Washington (Thrive) is a nongovernmental private-public partnership created in 2006 to mobilize public and private partners to advance development and learning of children from birth to age 5.

Early Learning Advisory Council.

In 2007 the Legislature created the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) to advise the DEL on statewide early learning needs and progress. The ELAC was directed to work in conjunction with the DEL to develop a statewide early learning plan.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:

The Legislature finds that research demonstrates the connection between early childhood development and later academic and social functioning, and that there is a shortage of high-quality services and programs for children age birth to 3 and their parents and caregivers. The Legislature intends to establish birth-to-three services and programs available through a continuum of options, and to fund those programs and services proportionately as funding is expanded for early learning programs serving 3- and 4-year-old children.

The DEL is directed to collaborate with Thrive and the ELAC to develop a comprehensive birth-to-three plan for offering education and support through a continuum of options. Birth-to-three programs may include home visiting; quality incentives for infant and toddler child care subsidies; quality improvements for family home and center-based child care programs serving infants and toddlers; professional development; early literacy programs; and informal supports for family, friend, and neighbor caregivers.

The DEL will report to the Legislature by December 1, 2010, with the birth-to-three plan and recommended appropriation levels. The plan will be prepared within existing resources.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Early Learning & Children's Services):

(In support) This was a Governor's request bill to provide voluntary preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds outside of the program of basic education. The bill also would require certification of all preschools in Washington and close this gap in our current framework. The most appealing part of this bill is the focus on birth-to-three programs as this period of development is perhaps even more critical than the development occurring during ages 3 and 4. The brain development and foundation for learning happening during this stage is critical to much of what comes later. This bill shines a light on the earliest part of the continuum of early learning, the birth-to-three period.

The Governor recognizes the very important work done by many individuals and groups on these early learning proposals and the early learning plan. The Governor believes we should develop some standards for certifying preschools and private kindergartens that are currently exempt from licensing. The Governor does not believe the early learning program for 3- and 4-year olds should be part of basic education. Rather, the Governor proposes that preschool would be available to all under a sliding scale approach that would promote socioeconomically diverse classrooms. When children from all backgrounds and abilities are together, there is a rich environment for learning. If we get early learning right, we will not be facing the issue of large numbers of dropouts.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means):

(In support) This bill addresses birth-to-three services and directs the Department of Early Learning to develop a plan of services for ages birth-to-three and specifies the appropriation levels that should be provided. The fiscal note is only an estimate and the plan will determine actual costs. This legislation builds on recent recommendations made in the comprehensive plan. In addition, the legislation is building on the work being done in other states. This will continue legislative support for early learners. The second substitute bill builds on research that shows early experiences enhance brain development. Early learning can prepare the most at-risk children for kindergarten.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Early Learning & Children's Services): Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; Leslie Goldstein, Office of the Governor; and Jada Rupley, Educational Service District 112.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; Teresa Mosqueda, Children's Alliance; Cathy Garland, Early Learning Action Alliance and Children's Home Society of Washington, and State Association of Head Start and ECAP; and John Bancroft, EduCare Learning Center.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Early Learning & Children's Services): None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): None.