Appropriates funds for early childhood development

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that investment in early childhood education is in the best interest of our community. Statistics show that approximately fifty per cent of all children who enter kindergarten in public schools are behind in skills needed to learn at that age, and that deficit is often never made up. National studies show that for every dollar spent on early childhood education, the State saves $7 in remedial and social problem areas.

The legislature believes that a prudent step in improving learning is to set up a pre-kindergarten academy focused on early childhood development, to prepare children for kindergarten and its rituals and routines and to foster overall school readiness. To make the best use of state facilities and resources, the academy will be operated during the summer. The program will be designed for four-year-olds who will be entering kindergarten. The program will focus on, but not be limited to, early childhood development and those tools necessary to learn prior to entering kindergarten.

The legislature also realizes that the start of a new program needs to be placed in the context of already ongoing programs such as K-12 education. Since the State envisions this program as accepting children universally, the State needs program participants to provide financial support similar to the manner in which the A-plus program subsidizes its operating costs.

The legislature also recognizes that parents need the resources and tools to help them with the development of their child. The second area of focus is to provide assistance to parents at the birth of their child. This program is to be used in conjunction with other early childhood programs that set standards and assist parents in the development of their child.

PART I

SECTION 2. The department of education shall plan, design, and implement a pre-kindergarten academy to provide four-year-old children early childhood development and to prepare them for entry into kindergarten. The program shall be offered during summer months and, when possible, in existing department of education facilities and be designed to provide a complete day of care. The program shall begin no later than summer 2006. The program shall be developed in consultation with the Good Beginnings Alliance and in accordance with accepted practices and standards. The program shall also offer materials and resources that will assist parents during the months when the academy is not in operation.

The department of education shall report on the design and plans for the academy to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2006 regular session.

SECTION 3. The department of education shall charge each student a fee of $75 per month for attendance at the academy on a sliding scale based on economic need. Fee revenues shall be deposited into the state general fund. The department of education shall create guidelines and procedures for the collection of fees. Students who qualify under department of education economic need guidelines or who qualify for the federal free lunch program may attend at a reduced charge or at no charge, as prescribed by the department of education in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for the department of education to plan and design the pre-kindergarten academy program established under this Act. The department of education may use these funds as it deems appropriate to plan, design, and implement the program.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the sum of $10,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to operate the pre-kindergarten academy program established under this Act; provided that the superintendent of education may hire persons to coordinate this program without regard to chapters 76 and 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 6. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this part.

PART II.

SECTION 7. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $350,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the sum of $300,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the department of education to contract for the planning, design, and operation of an educational resource program for parents of new born children. The program may include, but not be limited to, providing educational material, information on available resources, and information on early childhood development. The program shall be brought to perinatal parents and may include follow up contact via mail, telephone, or as necessary.

SECTION 8. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education on a contract let for the purposes of this part.

SECTION 9. The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2006 regular session on its progress in developing programs, including financial statements and other information as the legislature may request.

PART III

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.