Relating to statewide voluntary preschool program quality standards and renewals

This bill relates to statewide voluntary preschool program (SVPP) quality standards. The bill defines “collaboration” for purposes of the SVPP as ongoing communication, coordination, and cooperation between an approved local program and families, early care providers, and community providers that leads to the provision of comprehensive services and the progression toward the purposes of the SVPP. The bill requires the state board of education (BOE) to adopt rules that provide for the integration of children from other state and federally funded preschools by ensuring, subject to the approval of a child’s parent, guardian, or custodian, that a child integrated into an approved local program has uninterrupted instruction and access to the services provided by the approved local program. The bill limits a preschool program’s status as an approved local program for a period of five years. The bill requires, at least once every five years, for an approved local program to provide evidence to the BOE that the approved local program is sufficiently incorporating community readiness and involving multiple community stakeholders. The bill requires the department of education (DE) to implement procedures for revoking a preschool program’s status as an approved local program if it fails to meet program quality standards for the SVPP. The bill requires the BOE, in collaboration with the DE, to encourage school districts to collaborate with community partners to ensure comprehensive, integrated early childhood services, including but not limited to the delivery of preschool services outside of a school district in community-based settings where other early childhood services are being provided, are available to all children for the SVPP. The bill makes conforming changes.