READ FIRST TIME 02/09/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to implementing a program of early learning for educationally at-risk children; amending RCW 43.215.020 and 43.215.405; adding new sections to chapter 43.215 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that a critical factor in the eventual successful outcome of a K-12 education is for students to begin school ready, both intellectually and socially, to learn. The legislature also finds that, due to a variety of factors, some young children need supplemental instruction in preschool to assure that they have the opportunity to participate meaningfully and reach the necessary levels of achievement in the regular program of basic education. The legislature further finds that children who participate in high quality preschool programs have improved educational and life outcomes and are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education, experience successful employment opportunities, and have increased earnings. Therefore the legislature intends to create a program of early learning that, when fully implemented, shall be an entitlement program for eligible children.
     The legislature also finds that the state early childhood education and assistance program was established to help children from low-income families be prepared for kindergarten, and that the program has been a successful model for achieving that goal. Therefore, the legislature intends that the first phase of implementing the entitlement program of early learning shall be accomplished by utilizing the program standards and eligibility criteria in the early childhood education and assistance program. The legislature also intends that the implementation of subsequent phases of the program established by the ready for school act of 2010 will be aligned with the implementation of the state's all-day kindergarten program in order to maximize the gains resulting from investments in the two programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   DEFINITIONS. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Community-based early learning providers" includes for-profit and nonprofit licensed providers of child care and preschool programs.
     (2) "Program" means the program of early learning established in section 3 of this act for eligible children who are three and four years of age.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   PROGRAM STANDARDS. (1) Beginning September 1, 2011, an early learning program to provide voluntary preschool opportunities for children three and four years of age shall be implemented according to the funding and implementation plan in section 4 of this act. The program must be a comprehensive program providing early childhood education and family support, options for parental involvement, and health information, screening, and referral services, as family need is determined. Participation in the program is voluntary. On a space available basis, the program may allow enrollment of children who are not otherwise eligible by assessing a fee.
     (2) The first phase of the program shall be implemented by utilizing the program standards and eligibility criteria in the early childhood education and assistance program.
     (3) The director shall adopt rules for the following program components, as appropriate and necessary during the phased implementation of the program:
     (a) Minimum program standards, including lead teacher, assistant teacher, and staff qualifications;
     (b) Approval of program providers; and
     (c) Accountability and adherence to performance standards.
     (4) The department has administrative responsibility for:
     (a) Approving and contracting with providers according to rules developed by the director under this section;
     (b) In partnership with school districts, monitoring program quality and assuring the program is responsive to the needs of eligible children;
     (c) Assuring that program providers work cooperatively with school districts to coordinate the transition from preschool to kindergarten so that children and their families are well-prepared and supported; and
     (d) Providing technical assistance to contracted providers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   FUNDING AND STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION. (1) Funding for the program of early learning established under this chapter must be appropriated to the department. Allocations must be made on the basis of eligible children enrolled with eligible providers.
     (2) The program shall be implemented in phases, so that full implementation is achieved in the 2018-19 school year.
     (3) For the initial phase of the early learning program in school years 2011-12 and 2012-13, the legislature shall appropriate funding to the department for implementation of the program in an amount not less than the 2009-2011 enacted budget for the early childhood education and assistance program. The appropriation shall be sufficient to fund an equivalent number of slots as funded in the 2009-2011 enacted budget.
     (4) Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, additional funding for the program must be phased in beginning in school districts providing all-day kindergarten programs under RCW 28A.150.315.
     (5) Funding shall continue to be phased in incrementally each year until full statewide implementation of the early learning program is achieved in the 2018-19 school year, at which time any eligible child shall be entitled to be enrolled in the program.
     (6) The department and the office of financial management shall annually review the caseload forecasts for the program and, beginning December 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature with recommendations for phasing in additional funding necessary to achieve statewide implementation in the 2018-19 school year.
     (7) School districts and approved community-based early learning providers may contract with the department to provide services under the program. The department shall collaborate with school districts, community-based providers, and educational service districts to promote an adequate supply of approved providers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     For the program of early learning established in section 3 of this act, school districts:
     (1) Shall work cooperatively with program providers to coordinate the transition from preschool to kindergarten so that children and their families are well-prepared and supported; and
     (2) May contract with the department of early learning to deliver services under the program.

Sec. 6   RCW 43.215.020 and 2007 c 394 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department of early learning is created as an executive branch agency. The department is vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under this chapter and such other powers and duties as may be authorized by law.
     (2) The primary duties of the department are to implement state early learning policy and to coordinate, consolidate, and integrate child care and early learning programs in order to administer programs and funding as efficiently as possible. The department's duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
     (a) To support both public and private sectors toward a comprehensive and collaborative system of early learning that serves parents, children, and providers and to encourage best practices in child care and early learning programs;
     (b) To make early learning resources available to parents and caregivers;
     (c) To carry out activities, including providing clear and easily accessible information about quality and improving the quality of early learning opportunities for young children, in cooperation with the nongovernmental private-public partnership;
     (d) To administer child care and early learning programs;
     (e) To standardize internal financial audits, oversight visits, performance benchmarks, and licensing criteria, so that programs can function in an integrated fashion;
     (f) To support the implementation of the nongovernmental private-public partnership and cooperate with that partnership in pursuing its goals including providing data and support necessary for the successful work of the partnership;
     (g) To work cooperatively and in coordination with the early learning council;
     (h) To collaborate with the K-12 school system at the state and local levels to ensure appropriate connections and smooth transitions between early learning and K-12 programs; ((and))
     (i) To develop and adopt rules for administration of the program of early learning established in section 3 of this act; and
     (j) Upon the development of an early learning information system, to make available to parents timely inspection and licensing action information through the internet and other means.
     (3) The department's programs shall be designed in a way that respects and preserves the ability of parents and legal guardians to direct the education, development, and upbringing of their children. The department shall include parents and legal guardians in the development of policies and program decisions affecting their children.

Sec. 7   RCW 43.215.405 and 2006 c 265 s 210 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450 and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903.
     (1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee under RCW 43.215.420.
     (2) "Department" means the department of early learning.
     (3) "Eligible child" means a child not eligible for kindergarten whose family income is at or below one hundred ten percent of the federal poverty level, as published annually by the federal department of health and human services, and includes a child whose family is eligible for public assistance, and who is not a participant in a federal or state program providing comprehensive services; a child eligible for special education due to disability under RCW 28A.155.020; and may include children who are eligible under rules adopted by the department if the number of such children equals not more than ten percent of the total enrollment in the early childhood program. Priority for enrollment shall be given to children from families with the lowest income, children in foster care, or to eligible children from families with multiple needs.
     (4) "Approved programs" means those state-supported education and special assistance programs which are recognized by the department as meeting the minimum program rules adopted by the department to qualify under RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450 and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903 and are designated as eligible for funding by the department under RCW 43.215.430 and 43.215.440.
     (5) "Comprehensive" means an assistance program that focuses on the needs of the child and includes education, health, and family support services.
     (6) "Family support services" means providing opportunities for parents to:
     (a) Actively participate in their child's early childhood program;
     (b) Increase their knowledge of child development and parenting skills;
     (c) Further their education and training;
     (d) Increase their ability to use needed services in the community;
     (e) Increase their self-reliance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   Sections 2 through 4 and 9 of this act are each added to chapter 43.215 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   This act may be known as the ready for school act of 2010.