Subject of Possible Rule Making: Early childhood education and assistance program rule revisions, chapter 365-170 WAC.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28A.215.150.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The ECEAP performance standards are being updated to provide clarification and incorporate changes in requirements that will strengthen program efficacy. Some of these changes will affect the WAC. As a result, the current ECEAP WAC must be revised to align with changes in ECEAP performance standards. The revisions to the performance standards, and subsequently the WAC, will involve ECEAP stakeholders and the ECEAP Advisory Committee.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study, ECEAP stakeholders are comprised of thirty-three program directors throughout the state. These directors, and the ECEAP Advisory Committee, will be given the opportunity to review the proposed WAC and provide input. The proposed WAC will be presented to the ECEAP Advisory Committee for approval. After the ECEAP Advisory Committee approves the WAC, CTED will hold two open meetings each in eastern and western Washington. Drafts of the WAC will be e-mailed to all stakeholders prior to the meetings.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Heike Syben, (360) 725-2839 or heikes@cted.wa.gov, CTED Washington State, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504. Drafts of the proposed WAC will be e-mailed to you for your review and input.

December 7, 2005

Lynne Shanafelt

Managing Director