Modifying provisions related to the enrollment of eligible children in the statewide preschool program

This bill modifies provisions related to the enrollment of eligible children in the statewide preschool program. Current law requires the state board of education to adopt rules to define certain specified requirements that are used to determine whether a local preschool program provided by a school district will be considered an approved local program under the statewide preschool program established under Code chapter 256C, including requirements related to maximum and minimum teacher-to-child ratios, student learning standards, and provisions for the integration of children from other state and federally funded preschool programs. The bill adds to the list of requirements the requirement that the local program provide for ensuring that if there is a waiting list for eligible children to enroll in the local program, that the local program gives priority on the waiting list to eligible children who meet the definitional requirements of the term “homeless individual” under federal law.