SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5316

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Rinehart, Lee, Stratton and Gaspard

Establishing the parents as first teachers program.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Research findings and the results from an existing parents-as-teachers program in another state indicate that parents of preschool age children and their children can benefit from providing the parents with information to assist them in more effectively supporting their children's preschool educational and social development.  It is suggested that a Parents as First Teachers Program would continue this state's commitment to early childhood education.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is directed to establish a voluntary, grant-based Parents as First Teachers Program.  The program will provide parents of children up to age three with information and guidance to increase parental confidence and involvement in the educational and social development of their children.

The program shall provide for resource materials on home learning activities, private and group educational guidance, and other activities.  The Parents as First Teachers Program shall not be part of the basic program of education the state must fund.

The Superintendent is authorized to accept gifts and grants provided to support the program and must submit to the Legislature a biennial report on the Parents as First Teachers Program.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Director of the Department of Community Development, and the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services shall jointly develop and submit to the Legislature by January 1, 1990, a plan that includes one or more options for integrating the Parents as First Teachers Program, the state Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, the proposed Family Independence Program, and other state programs into a comprehensive early childhood development assistance program.

Fiscal Note:      requested