HR 702 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve early education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 27, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. CASTLE, Mr. ANDREWS, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Mr. FARR, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. FILNER, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. HARE, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. HOLT, Mr. HONDA, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. LOEBSACK, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. REYES, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California, Mr. SARBANES, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. SCHWARTZ, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. STARK, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WELCH, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. WU, and Mr. YARMUTH) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve early education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2009’ or the ‘PRE-K Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Children’s experiences in the first five years of life influence the developing brain and have significant and lasting impact.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) All children deserve access to high quality early learning experiences that can support their cognitive, social, and emotional development and help prepare them to succeed in school and in life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Research shows that high quality early education programs can improve early reading and early math skills, decrease grade retention, decrease the need for special education services, and increase the likelihood that children will graduate from high school and become productive members of society.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The economic benefits of early education experiences are clear and providing parents greater access to high-quality early learning programs will benefit children, families, and our Nation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) High quality early education programs have well-trained and well-compensated teachers, small class sizes, a full-day program, comprehensive services, family participation, and a research-based curriculum that aligns with strong early learning standards. The quality of State early education programs varies significantly across the country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) While nearly three-quarters of three- through five-year-olds not in kindergarten spend time in nonparental care each week, research suggests that most are not in high quality settings that meet the full range of their developmental needs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) A Federal partnership with States--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) will help increase access to voluntary high quality preschool programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) is a necessary step to improving the Nation’s elementary and secondary schools and helping States close the achievement gap and improve graduation rates; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) should be a national priority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. EARLY EDUCATION GRANTS.

(a) Program Established- Each fiscal year, from amounts made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall make grants to States to enhance or improve State-funded preschool programs, as defined by the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Allotment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DETERMINATION- After making the reservation described in subsection (c), from funds appropriated under section 13, the Secretary shall make a base allotment to each State that has submitted an approved application and is either--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a qualified State (as defined in section 4(a)); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a selected State (as designated under section 4(b)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AMOUNT- The amount of the base allotment described under paragraph (1) for each State shall be based on the number of children up to age 5 from families with incomes below the poverty line for each State, compared to the number of such children from all States, except that no State shall have a base allotment less than .25 percent of the amounts appropriated under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) BASIS FOR THE BASE ALLOTMENT- The Secretary shall determine the amount of the base allotment determined under paragraph (2) as if every State was to receive a base allotment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) REMAINDER- In any fiscal year for which not every State is to receive a base allotment, the Secretary shall reallot any funds remaining after the determination of a base allotment under paragraph (2) to each State that has submitted an approved application and is a qualified State. Such remaining funds shall be realloted among such qualified States and shall be determined by comparing the number of children up to age 5 from families with incomes below the poverty line for each such qualified State to such number for all such qualified States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Reservation- Prior to making any allotments under subsection (b), the Secretary shall reserve 1 percent for the purpose of making grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations as described in section 10.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. STATE ELIGIBILITY.

(a) Qualified States-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this Act, the term ‘qualified State’ means a State that meets each of the following criteria:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) The State carries out a voluntary State-funded preschool program that requires, at a minimum, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Use of research-based curricula that are aligned with State early learning standards that are developmentally appropriate and include, at a minimum, each of the following domains:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Language development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) Literacy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) Mathematics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) Science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) Creative arts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) Social and emotional development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) Approaches to learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VIII) Physical and health development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Use of nationally established, or better, best practices for group size and teacher-to-student ratios, appropriate to the age group being served.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) A requirement that each teacher holds an associate degree, or higher, in early childhood education or a related field.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) A requirement to operate for at least the length of an academic year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) The State shall have developed a plan, including a timetable, for moving toward a requirement for State-funded preschool programs that each teacher holds a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, or in a related field if specialized training in early childhood education has also been completed, within 5 years after the State first receives a grant as a qualified State under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) The State, at a minimum, shall ensure that the average per-child expenditure by the State and its political subdivisions to support State-funded preschool programs for the fiscal year for which the grant is made is equal to, or greater than, the average of such per-child expenditure for the previous 2 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) The State, at a minimum, shall ensure that the total expenditure by the State and its political subdivisions to support State-funded preschool programs for the fiscal year for which the grant is made is equal to, or greater than, such expenditure for the preceding fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) The State, at a minimum, shall ensure that the total expenditure by the State and its political subdivisions to support State-funded child care services and activities for the fiscal year for which the grant is made is equal to, or greater than, such expenditure for the preceding fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Selected States-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each fiscal year, the Secretary shall carry out, on a competitive basis, a process for the designation of States as selected States for purposes of this Act. Under the process, the Secretary shall determine whether to designate any States and, if so, shall determine the States that are to be designated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) BASIS FOR DETERMINATIONS- The determinations required by paragraph (1) shall be based on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the State meeting the requirements of subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection (a)(1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the quality of the applications submitted; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the extent to which the State demonstrates that the State, if designated, will become a qualified State within 2 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PERIOD OF DESIGNATION- A designation under this subsection shall apply to a State for two fiscal years. However, if a State is both a qualified State and a selected State for a fiscal year, it shall be treated for purposes of this Act as a qualified State rather than a selected State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. APPLICATIONS.

(a) In General- A State desiring to receive funds under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require. In developing such application, the State shall consult with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (described in section 642B(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b))) or similar State entity, and providers of early childhood programs operating in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Required Contents- The application referred to in subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following contents:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) If the State desires to be treated as a qualified State, information sufficient for the Secretary to determine whether the State is a qualified State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) If the State desires to be designated as a selected State--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) assurances that the State, if designated as a selected State, will become a qualified State within two fiscal years;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) information sufficient for the Secretary to determine whether the State meets the requirements of subparagraphs (C) through (E) of section 4(a)(1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) information relating to any competitive criteria that the Secretary may establish.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) A description of how the funds received under this Act will be used to enhance or improve preschool programs in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) A description of how the State is working to build its capacity to serve more children in high quality early education programs, including the building of new facilities, as appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) A description of how the State will ensure that any funds made available to preschool providers are made available to a range of types of preschool providers, including local educational agencies and community-based providers such as child care and Head Start, as appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Assurances that amounts received by the State under this Act will be used only to supplement, and not to supplant, Federal, State, and local funds otherwise available to support existing early childhood services and activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) A description of how the State will evaluate the effectiveness of the use of these funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) A description of how the State will use the funds to better meet the needs of low-income working parents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) A description of how the use of funds will help meet the developmental needs of children in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) A description of how the State will ensure that State-funded preschool programs are available to, and appropriate for, children with disabilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) A description of how the State-funded preschool programs will be culturally and linguistically appropriate and how the State plans to meet the early education needs of children with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) A description of how the State is working to develop and use research-based curricula that are aligned with State early learning standards and are linguistically and culturally appropriate for children with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) A description of how the State agency designated under subsection (c) will coordinate with other State agencies delivering early childhood development programs or services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) A description of how the State will ensure that State-funded preschool programs will coordinate with the local educational agencies in their area to ensure a smooth and successful transition to kindergarten.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) A description of how the State monitoring process will effectively assess and ensure the quality of State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) A description of how the State will coordinate this grant with the efforts of the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (described in section 642B(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b))) or other State entity that is coordinating a system of early childhood development and education for children from birth to kindergarten entry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(17) A description of how the State-funded preschool programs that are not universal prioritize children from low-income families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(18) A description of how the State is working to eliminate barriers and improve access to State-funded preschool programs for children who live in rural areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(19) A description of how the State is working to address the transportation needs of families for whom lack of transportation is a significant barrier to accessing State-funded preschool.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) State Agency- The application shall designate a State agency to administer and oversee those funds and the activities carried out under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. USE OF FUNDS.

(a) Priority- In using funds provided under this Act, a State shall give priority to improving the quality of State-funded preschool in communities with high concentrations of low-income children.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Specific Uses- Subject to subsections (c) and (d), a State that receives funds under this Act shall use such funds for any one or more of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To increase the number of teachers and program directors in State-funded preschool programs who hold a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, or in a related field if specialized training in early childhood education has also been completed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) To increase the number of teacher aides in State-funded preschool programs who hold an associate degree in early childhood education, or in a related field if specialized training in early childhood education has also been completed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) To increase the number of program directors, teachers, and teacher aides who have specialized training in working with children and families with limited English proficiency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) To increase the number of program directors, teachers, and teacher aides who have specialized training in working with children with disabilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) To increase the compensation or benefits provided to teachers, program directors, and teacher aides in State-funded preschool programs in order to improve the ability of those programs to recruit and retain such teachers, program directors, and teacher aides.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) To decrease group size in classrooms in State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) To improve the teacher-to-student ratios in classrooms in State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) To provide, in State-funded preschool programs, one or more of the following comprehensive services that support healthy child development and positive child outcomes and school readiness:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Vision and hearing screenings and referrals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Health and mental health screenings and referrals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Parent involvement opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Nutrition services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) To extend the number of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) hours per day of program operation of State-funded preschool programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) days per week of program operation of State-funded preschool programs; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) weeks per year of program operation of State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) To improve the State’s system for monitoring the quality of State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) To provide opportunities for intensive and on-going research- and evidence-based professional development in the domains described in section 4(a)(1)(A)(i) for staff of State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) To provide induction and support for preschool program directors, teachers, and staff during their first 3 years of employment in a new position, and to provide on-going mentoring to such individuals by persons with education and expertise in supporting teachers in effective teaching practices with young children and in supporting program directors in early childhood education and program management.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) To renovate existing facilities, except that such renovation must be limited to minor rehabilitation or remodeling needed to ensure that State-funded preschool program facilities are age and developmentally appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Set-Aside- A State that receives funds under this Act shall use 10 percent of such funds to improve the quality of early learning environments for children from birth to age three through research- and evidence-based methods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Special Rule-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding subsection (b), a qualified State that receives funds under this Act may use up to 50 percent of the funds remaining after application of subsection (c) for the purpose of expanding a State-funded preschool program, with priority for such expansion to communities with high concentrations of low-income children, that meets or exceeds the criteria in section 4(a) if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the amount appropriated under section 13 is at least $250,000,000; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the State-funded preschool program meets or exceeds the following criteria:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) The standards described in clauses (i) and (ii) of section 4(a)(1)(A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Each teacher holds a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or a related field if specialized training in early childhood education has also been completed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Each program provides full-day services at all locations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Each program provides comprehensive services to at-risk children participating in the State-funded preschool program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Each teacher participates in on-going professional development in child development and learning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) Each program provides linguistically and culturally appropriate standards for serving children with limited English proficiency participating in the State-funded preschool program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) STATE DEFINITION AND APPLICABILITY- For the purpose of establishing a priority for expansion under paragraph (1), the State shall define what constitutes a high concentration of low-income children. In any State described in paragraph (1) in which all communities with high concentrations of low-income children are served by a State-funded preschool program, the priority for expansion described in such paragraph shall not apply.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Rule of Construction- Funds provided under this Act shall be used only to improve or enhance a State-funded preschool program. Nothing in this Act shall be construed such that a State may use these funds only for existing State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.

The Secretary shall not make a grant to a State under this Act unless the State agrees to the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) QUALIFIED STATE- In the case of a qualified State, the State will make available non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to not less than 30 percent of that portion of the Federal funds provided under the grant that represent the base allotment under section 3(b)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SELECTED STATE- In the case of a selected State, the State will make available non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of that portion of the Federal funds provided under the grant that represent the base allotment under section 3(b)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Report to Congress- For each year in which funding is provided under this Act, the Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Congress on the activities carried out under this Act, including, at a minimum, information on the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The activities undertaken by qualified States and selected States that improved or enhanced State-funded preschool programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The progress of selected States in moving toward fulfilling criteria to become a qualified State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The extent to which the State used funds to expand a State-funded preschool program, as allowed under section 6(d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The costs and barriers to expansion, including building and renovating preschool facilities so that they are high quality and age and developmentally appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report to Secretary- Each State that receives a grant under this Act shall submit to the Secretary an annual report on the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The activities carried out by the State under this Act, including information on the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) How funds provided under this Act were used to enhance and improve quality of State-funded preschool programs, including enhancing and improving the quality of State-funded preschool programs serving children who live in a rural area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Such other information as the Secretary may reasonably require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The activities carried out by the State-funded preschool program, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the number and ages of children served by the State-funded preschool program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the number and ages of children in such program with a disability, with limited English proficiency, from low-income families, and from rural areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. SPECIAL RULE.

Funds under this Act may not be used for the purposes of assessments that provide rewards or sanctions for individual children or teachers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 10. APPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN TRIBES.

The Secretary shall award competitive grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out a program under this Act. An Indian tribe or tribal organization desiring to receive funds under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require. For purposes of submitting such application and for expending funds received under this Act, Indian tribes and tribal organizations shall comply with sections 4 through 8.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 11. DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY- The term ‘local educational agency’ has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) POVERTY LINE- The term ‘poverty line’ has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) RURAL AREA- The term ‘rural area’ means a geographic area served by a rural local education agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) RURAL LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY- The term ‘rural local education agency’ means a local education agency having administrative control or direction of schools which meet a metro-centric locale code of 41, 42, or 43 as determined by the National Center for Education Statistics, in conjunction with the Bureau of the Census, using the system of the National Center for Education Statistics for classifying local educational agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) STATE- The term ‘State’ has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) STATE-FUNDED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM- The term ‘State-funded preschool program’ means a program that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) serves children who are ages 3 through 5;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) has a primary focus of supporting early childhood education, including supporting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development and approaches to learning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) helps prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) is funded either in whole or in part by a State through a State agency with authority to promulgate regulations and monitor participating programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY- The term ‘with limited English proficiency’, when used with respect to a child, means a child--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A)(i) who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii)(I) who is a Native American (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), an Alaska Native, or a native resident of an outlying area (as defined in such section 9101); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the child’s level of English language proficiency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) whose difficulties in speaking or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the child--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the ability to successfully achieve in a classroom in which the language of instruction is English; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the opportunity to participate fully in society.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 12. CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require a child to attend a preschool program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink