HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6181

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rinehart, Kiskaddon, Gaspard, Fleming, Bailey, Bender and Garrett)

Revising the early childhood education and assistance program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (20)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Betrozoff, Butterfield, Cole, Cooper, Ebersole, Holland, Holm, P. King, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Schoon, Taylor, Todd, Valle and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program was established in 1985.  This special assistance program is a voluntary enrichment program to help prepare some "at risk" children to enter the common school system.  Early Childhood Education is not part of the basic education program as defined by the legislature to meet the obligation under Article IX, section 1 of the state Constitution.

Early Childhood Education programs were first funded in the 1986 supplemental budget to initiate local preschool programs for approximately 1,000 children statewide in the amount of $2.9 million for fiscal year 1987.  The program was expanded to serve at least 2,000 children in the 1987-89 biennial budget through an appropriation of $12.1 million.

Even though the federal Head Start program provides programs for more than 6,000 additional children, there are many more in the state who are at risk and would benefit from preschool education and assistance with basic health care, nutrition and development.

Studies comparing groups of young adults who were enrolled in preschool programs to those not attending preschool reveal long- term benefits to society through greater educational attainment, employment and projected lifetime earnings.  Savings realized by society include reduced crime rates, welfare support and teenage pregnancy in the preschool group.

SUMMARY:

Increased opportunities for children to participate in early childhood education programs are available through the development of community partnerships to assist children at risk.  The definition of "at risk" is amended to allow the program to provide services for children of any age whose family circumstances would qualify the child for enrollment in the federal head start program.

Additional children may be admitted to preschool education programs to the extent that grants and contributions from individuals, agencies, corporations, and community organizations provide sufficient funds or services for a program equivalent to that supported by state funds.  Program standards established by the Department of Community Development must be maintained in any expanded or enhanced program.

Applications from providers of preschool programs must identify targeted groups of at risk children, the number of children to be served, program components, the qualifications of instructional and special staff, the source and amount of grants and contributions other than state funds, facilities and equipment support, and transportation and personal care arrangements.

The existing advisory committee is given the additional responsibility to advise DCD on matters regarding the on-going promotion and operation of the early childhood program. Organizations on the advisory committee are to represent community and business interests.

Technical revisions to the original legislation allow for the continued administration of the program by DCD and clarify rule- making authority for the application process.  The initial reporting requirement is amended to only require a report to each regular session of the legislature convening in odd-numbered years.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Margie Reeves, Washington Association for the Education of Young Children and Catherine Watters, Citizens Education Center Northwest.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is important that we provide the best opportunities possible for children who are at risk.  This will allow the community to be a partner in providing for the needs of its children in a meaningful way.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.