Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to assist in the expansion of the pre-plus program by identifying unused facilities or sites for classrooms. Appropriates funds to DOE for facility renovations and classroom supplies and supplemental training for early childhood education teachers and staff. (SB1634 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Early childhood education is a critical component of childhood development. Studies have shown that children who do not have access to quality education programs may enter kindergarten more than a year behind their peers.

Current reports indicate that only fifty-five per cent of Hawaii's four year olds attend pre-school. About fifty per cent of kindergarten teachers report that their students are entering school unprepared.

According to the Good Beginnings Alliance, early childhood education programs are operating at about ninety-two per cent of their enrollment capacity. This high demand coupled with a limited supply of programs increases the tuition for the programs, preventing families on fixed incomes from enrolling their children in early childhood education programs.

In 2001, the State established the pre-plus program to expand access to affordable and quality early childhood education for children from low-income families. The pre-plus program allows preschool programs to be set up on public school campuses through public-private sector partnerships. Each of these programs is operated by a provider who determines the cost of the program and is responsible for seeking the necessary funds for its operation. The pre-plus program covers thirteen preschool sites that accommodate two-hundred sixty students whose ages range from three to four years. Other programs have also enhanced access to preschool education for children from low-income families, such as the child care connection Hawaii and preschool open doors programs administered by the department of human services. However, the high demand for pre-school programs requires additional support from the State, including the identification or construction of facilities to increase capacity.

The legislature also finds that changes need to be made to ensure a sufficient number of qualified teachers for early childhood education. Teachers who have four-year college degrees and specialized training in education for young children are needed to support early childhood education programs. Funding for early childhood education training must be increased.

The purpose of this Act is to increase the State's support of early childhood education programs by:

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   Early childhood education facilities; identifying sites. (a) The department shall identify unused public school facilities for use by state early childhood education programs. Suitable empty classrooms, as determined by the department, shall be prepared and used for state early childhood education programs to ensure that licensing standards, as determined by the departments of education and human services, are met. Priority shall be given to facilities on sites with sufficient space for three or more classrooms to be renovated or constructed.

(b) The department shall assist in the identification of possible construction sites for private providers to build early childhood education facilities."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 for department of education renovations to public school facilities and supplies for classrooms.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 for supplemental training for early childhood education teachers and staff.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2005.