Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 35 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a one-year pilot program for universal access to early childhood education for children age five or younger whose families are unable to afford quality early childhood education. This measure also appropriates funds for the pilot program and the preschool open doors program.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Good Beginnings Alliance, Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, Blueprint for Change, Family Support Services of West Hawaii, Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children, and twenty individuals. The Atherton Family Foundation submitted comments.

Your Committees find that the movement towards universal childhood education is consistent with trends around the nation. More communities are realizing how critical pre-kindergarten services are to the proper development and preparation of young children to succeed in school. The initiatives in this measure will further the State's efforts in providing quality early childhood education to families that are unable to afford programs.

In consideration of the supportive testimony submitted, your Committees have amended this measure to extend the pilot project to two years and include the development of a quality rating system.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 35, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 35, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.