SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5389

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: In 2007 the Legislature established the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) to advise the Department of Early Learning (DEL) on statewide early learning needs and to develop a statewide early learning plan. Twenty-three members are specified in statute. Of the 23 members, the Governor must appoint seven leaders in early childhood education, with at least one representative with experience or expertise in the areas such as children with disabilities, the K-12 system, family day care providers, and child care centers.

Washington State has been awarded approximately $1.7 million over a three-year period under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support its State Advisory Council. In Washington, the State Advisory Council is ELAC. The federal Head Start Act governs the requirements for federally funded State Advisory Councils, and specifies members that the State Advisory Council must include to the maximum extent possible.

Created in 1965, Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. The federal government administers the Head Start program, and directly contracts with providers. Since 1990 the Office of Head Start has funded Head Start-State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) grants to support the development of multi-agency and public/private partnerships at the state and local levels. The HSSCO is housed at DEL.

Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes grants to states to assist them in planning, developing, and implementing statewide systems of early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families.

Summary of Bill: Of the seven leaders in early childhood education whom the Governor must appoint, four of the seven appointees are as follows:

the Head Start State Collaboration Office director or director's designee;
a representative of a Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant/Seasonal Head Start, or Tribal Head Start program;
a representative of a local education agency; and
a representative of the state agency responsible for programs under Part C of IDEA.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill would help draw down $1.7 million in federal funding over a three-year period. The money can be put to use immediately. State Advisory Councils have several purposes; one key purpose is to advise the department and another is to create a state early learning system. The funding awarded is a systems-building grant to support school readiness for children in Washington. The grant will be used for further development of governance, professional development systems work, materials for early learning guidelines, pre-k through third grade alignment around literacy and numeracy, and the collaboration component for the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills.