Hawaii S.B. 2545

Hawaii S.B. 2545

Early Learning System

Provides legislative findings. Establishes the executive office on early learning, to be temporarily placed in the office of the governor, and permanently established within the department of education for administrative purposes only, effective July 2015. Establishes a director of the executive office on early learning, and requirements for and duties of the director. Establishes the duties of the executive office on early learning in developing the state's early learning system, including among others: (1) Establishing additional early learning programs and services, including public and private partnerships; (2) Establishing policies and procedures governing the inclusion of children with special needs; (3) Developing incentives to enhance the quality of early learning programs, services, and educational professionals; (4) Coordinating efforts to develop a highly-qualified, stable, and diverse workforce; (5) Developing standards of accountability to ensure that early learning experiences are high-quality; (6) Collecting, interpreting, and releasing state early learning data; (7) Recommending the appropriate proportion of state funds to be distributed to programs and services across the early learning system; and (8) Consulting with community groups, including statewide
organizations involved in early learning professional development, policy and advocacy, and early childhood programs. Transfers the state head start state collaboration office from the department of human services to the executive office on early learning.

Establishes the early learning advisory board to replace the early learning council, and repeals provisions related to the early learning council. Establishes the membership and responsibilities of the early learning advisory board. Transfers administration of the pre-plus program to expand access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education for low-income children from the department to the executive office on early learning. Makes provisions regarding charter school occupancy of vacant school facilities also applicable to pre-plus programs seeking facilities. Requires the executive office on early learning, no later than 20 days before the convening of the 2013 regular session, to suhmit a report to the legislature on the status of an implementation plan for the development of the early learning system, including a timeline of the implementation plan and projected funding needs, with a focus on targeting four-year-old children.

Repeals junior kindergarten programs at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Starting with the 2014-2015 school year, requires students to be at least 5 years of age on July 31 of the school year in order to attend kindergarten. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/SB2545_CD1_.pdf

Source:
www.capitol.hawaii.gov

Status: Signed into law Status Date: 06/29/2012

Hawaii S.B. 2545
Early Learning System
Provides legislative findings. Establishes the executive office on early learning, to be temporarily placed in the office of the governor, and permanently established within the department of education for administrative purposes only, effective July 2015. Establishes a director of the executive office on early learning, and requirements for and duties of the director. Establishes the duties of the executive office on early learning in developing the state's early learning system, including among others: (1) Establishing additional early learning programs and services, including public and private partnerships; (2) Establishing policies and procedures governing the inclusion of children with special needs; (3) Developing incentives to enhance the quality of early learning programs, services, and educational professionals; (4) Coordinating efforts to develop a highly-qualified, stable, and diverse workforce; (5) Developing standards of accountability to ensure that early learning experiences are high-quality; (6) Collecting, interpreting, and releasing state early learning data; (7) Recommending the appropriate proportion of state funds to be distributed to programs and services across the early learning system; and (8) Consulting with community groups, including statewide organizations involved in early learning professional development, policy and advocacy, and early childhood programs. Transfers the state head start state collaboration office from the department of human services to the executive office on early learning. Establishes the early learning advisory board to replace the early learning council, and repeals provisions related to the early learning council. Establishes the membership and responsibilities of the early learning advisory board. Transfers administration of the pre-plus program to expand access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education for low-income children from the department to the executive office on early learning. Makes provisions regarding charter school occupancy of vacant school facilities also applicable to pre-plus programs seeking facilities. Requires the executive office on early learning, no later than 20 days before the convening of the 2013 regular session, to suhmit a report to the legislature on the status of an implementation plan for the development of the early learning system, including a timeline of the implementation plan and projected funding needs, with a focus on targeting four-year-old children. Repeals junior kindergarten programs at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Starting with the 2014-2015 school year, requires students to be at least 5 years of age on July 31 of the school year in order to attend kindergarten. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/SB2545_CD1_.pdf
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov
Status: Signed into law	Status Date: 06/29/2012