ECSheading
From the ECS State Policy Database
P-3 Ensuring Quality


Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format.

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
NYSigned into law 08/2012P-12Birth-5 Standards, Guidelines, and Criteria
A.B. 7591
Directs the department of education, the office of children and family services and the department of health, each to identify and review ex...

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OHSigned into law 06/2012P-12Licensure of Preschool and Child Care Programs
S.B. 316 - Licensure of Preschool and Child Care Programs
Defines "school child," "child care," and other terms. Removes various references to preschool or school child program license renewal and t...

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LASigned into law 05/2012P-12Standards for Licensed Day Care Centers
H.B. 1016
Makes revisions to current law regarding standards for licensed day care centers, describes the duties of the Department of Children and Fam...

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ILAdopted 05/2012P-12Early Childhood Block Grant
23 IL ADC 235.20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70; 23 IL ADC 235.APP. A, B, C
From Illinois Register: This rulemaking resulted from the state board's application for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment...

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FLSigned into law 04/2012P-12Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
H.B. 5101 - Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
Requires each private prekindergarten provider and public school in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to implement an evidence...

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DCSigned into law 04/2012P-12Early Childhood Education, Title V
Bill 19-648
Requires the chancellor to establish academic acheivement goals for three and four-year olds, and readiness goals and evaluations for three ...

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FLVetoed 04/2012P-12School Readiness Programs
H.B. 5103
From final bill analysis: Conforms applicable statutes to the appropriations provided in the General Appropriations Act for the school readi...

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LASigned into law 04/2012P-12Louisiana Early Childhood Education Act.
S.B. 581
Requires the state board of education to create a comprehensive and integrated network through which to manage and oversee all programs fund...

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GASigned into law 05/2011P-12Emergency Closure of an Early Care and Education Program
S.B. 185
Provides for emergency closure of an early care and education program upon the death of a minor or where a child's safety or welfare is in i...

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VTSigned into law 05/2011P-12Regulation of Prekindergaten Education Programs
S.B. 100 - Early Education Regulation
This section requires the departments of education and children and families to consult with the various stakeholders in early learning (spe...

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ARSigned into law 04/2011P-12Evaluation of Early Learning Programs
S.B. 337
Directs the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to assess each early childhood program in this state that receives state fu...

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MNIssued 03/2011P-12The Early Learning Council
E.O. 11-05
Creates the Early Learning Council to serve as the state advisory council on early childhood education and care. The council will consists o...

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ILIssued 06/2010P-12Office of Early Childhood Development
Executive Order 8
Creates the Office of Early Childhood Development in the governor's office. Provides that the purpose of the office is to coordinate the wor...

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OKSigned into law 05/2010P-12Head Start Included on Readiness Board
H.B. 3126
Expanding duties and board representation of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness board. Directs the Board to additionally serve as...

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COSigned into law 04/2010P-12Quality in Child Care Program
H.B. 1026
Creates the Quality in Child Care Incentive Grant Program with the objective of providing incentives to county or district departments of so...

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OHSigned into law 08/2009P-12Inspections of Preschool and Licensed School Child Programs
H.B. 1 - Section 3301.57
Partially from DOE summary of H.B. 1: Reduces the number of annual inspections of preschool programs and licensed school child programs by t...

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OHSigned into law 07/2009P-12Early Childhood Education Programs
H.B. 1 - Section 265.10.20
Partially from DOE summary of H.B. 1:
Continues the GRF-funded early childhood education program at school districts, joint vocational scho...

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IAAdopted 07/2009P-12Early Childhood Council
IAC 641-Chapter 83
Establishes new rules regarding the Early Childhood Iowa Council. Sets forth membership and operating procedures for the Council and describ...

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OHAdopted 06/2009P-12Early Learning Programs
OAC 3301-37-01 through -12
-01: Adds or amends definitions related to early learning programs, including of "alignment," "curriculum," "early learning program guidelin...

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MNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Quality Rating and Improvement System
H.F. 2
Establishes a voluntary, standards-based quality rating and improvement system for early learning and care programs. Requires the state to c...

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TNSigned into law 05/2009P-12Contracting Only with Providers Meeting Highest Standards
S.B. 2328
From the fiscal note: Authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to contract out for the provision of child care services and requires LEAs ...

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WIIssued 10/2008P-12Governor's State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care
Executive Order 269
(Executive Order No. 269) Creates the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care to conduct a periodic statewide needs ass...

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CASigned into law 09/2008P-12Early learning
S.B. 1629
Establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee which would be required to develop the policy and implementatio...

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FLSigned into law 06/2008P-12Success in Early Learning Act
H.B. 879
Relates to the Success in Early Learning Act; authorizes the use of telecommunication methods in conducting early learning coalition board m...

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IAAdopted 11/2007P-12Accreditation Standards Related to Discrimination and Prekindergarten
IAC 281, 12.1(1), 281-12.2(256), 12.3(6), 12.3(13), 12.8(1)
Reflects that education programs are not to discriminate on the basis of the added characteristics of sexual orientation and gender identity...

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MDAdopted 11/2007P-12Family Day Care Quality
COMAR 13A.14.04.02, .14
Increases the required preservice and continued training requirements for registered family child care providers to help improve the quality...

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MDAdopted 11/2007P-12Child Care Center Licensing and Staff Requirements
COMAR 13A.14.02.02, .18, .21-.23, .25-.27
Increases the required preservice and continued training requirements for child care center staff and change the nomenclature of child care ...

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WASigned into law 04/2007P-12Child Care Provider Information
S.B. 5317
Declares that the purpose of this act is to provide tools to promote the hiring of suitable providers of child care by: (1) Providing parent...

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AKAdopted 02/2007P-12PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
4 AAC 04.150
Amends rules to the Department of Education and Early Development.Adopts Grade Level Expectations (GPE) for Kindergarten through Grade 2. AL...

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MSAdopted 07/2006P-12Child Care Quality Rating System
Uncodified
Establishes rules for a pilot project to improve the quality of child care services. Sets up a quality rating system for licensed child care...

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IASigned into law 06/2006P-12Community Empowerment Initiative
H.B. 2769
Increases membership on the community empowerment state board. Requires family support services in the community empowerment initiative to ...

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MOSigned into law 05/2006P-12Standards for Early Childhood Education
H.B. 1511
Requires the department of Education to develop, by June 30, 2007, standards for early childhood education which will be applicable to publi...

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COVetoed 05/2006P-12Statewide Early Childhood Councils
H.B. 1397
Concerns the creation and duties of a statewide system of integrated early childhood councils. Repeals the pilot program for community conso...

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MDSigned into law 04/2006P-12Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program
H.B. 601
Requires the Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program to be administered by the State Department of Education; authorizes the Department t...

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WASigned into law 03/2006P-12Department of Early Learning
H.B. 2964
Finds that the early years of a child's life are critical to the child's healthy brain development and that the quality of caregiving during...

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MSSigned into law 03/2006P-12Education Reform Act of 2006
S.B. 2602
Enacts the Education Reform Act of 2006. Section 16 directs the department of human services to establish a child care quality step program ...

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HISigned into law 06/2005P-12Early Learning Educational Task Force
S.B. 3101
Establishes and appropriates funds for an early learning educational task force to be attached to the department of education. Directs the t...

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IASigned into law 06/2005P-12Impact of Early Intervention Block Grants
H.F. 742
Relates to the Iowa Early Intervention Block Grant Program. Requires a report that includes district-by-district information showing the all...

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IAIssued 08/2004P-12
Postsec.
Community College
IOWA LEARNS COUNCIL
Executive Order No. 30 - 2003
Creates the IOWA LEARNS COUNCIL. The Iowa Learns Council shall work towards the ambitious goal of 90% of Iowa children having a quality pre-...

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ARRule Adoption 06/2004P-12Better Chance Program
ADE 174
Establishes general guidelines for the operation of early childhood programs funded under the Arkansas Better Chance Program
and the Arkansa...

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SDSigned into law 02/2004P-12Child Care Availability Quality
S.B. 117
Establishes a task force to improve the quality and availability of child care and early learning opportunities....

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ORRule Adoption 06/2003P-12Renewal of Authorization for Specialists
OAR 581-015-1105, -1106
Amends rules to streamline the process of renewal of authorization for early childhood specialists and early childhood supervisors within th...

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NDSigned into law 04/2003P-12Teacher Qualifications (Early Childhood and Kindergarten)
H.B. 1489
Requires the state board to issue major equivalency endorsements and minor equivalency endorsements (new requirement). Also adds new requir...

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MSSigned into law 04/2003P-12Statewide Prekindergarten/School Readiness Program Assessment
S.B. 2636
Establishes oversight committee to assess all prekindergarten or school readiness programs run by any public or private school or Head Start...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Better Chance Program
H.B. 2402
Expands the Arkansas Better Chance Program; allows any licensed early childhood program with early childhood accreditation by the Department...

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KYAdopted 03/2003P-12Probationary Certificate/Teachers of Children
16 KAR 2:140
Allows that if no certified early childhood education teacher is available, the superintendent may ask that a one-year probationary interdis...

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KYAdopted 03/2003P-12Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate
16 KAR 2:040
Establishes rules regarding the professional certificate for interdisciplinary early childhood education, birth to primary, the teacher stan...

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WVAdopted 01/2003P-12Universal Access to Pre-Kindergarten System STATE ID: 126-28
Title 126, Series 28
Provides rules relating to West Virginia's universal access to the state's Pre-Kindergarten System. WEST VIRGINIA REG 4202 (SN)...

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NMAdopted 11/2002P-12Competencies for Early Childhood Education
6.61.8.10
Sets forth the competencies required for early childhood educators. ...

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ILSigned into law 07/2002P-12Child Care
H.B. 3662
Amends the Child Care Act of 1969; excludes certain programs operated by private entities on the grounds of public or private elementary or ...

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TNSigned into law 05/2002P-12State Standards Apply to Private Providers
S.B. 2380
Applies the state board's of education child care standards to programs operated by private schools. Any funds or personnel involved in the ...

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OKSigned into law 04/2002P-12Child Care Facilities Licensing Act-Single licensure process
S.B. 1584
An Act relating to children; amending 10 O.S. 2001, Section 401, which relates to the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act; requiri...

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MDSigned into law 04/2002P-12Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program
H.B. 986
Establishes a Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program in the Department of Human Resources; authorizes the Department to award grants as ...

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VASigned into law 04/2002P-12Licenced child care center regulations
H.B. 1208
Provides that regulations for licensed child care centers adopted by the state board of social services or the child day-care council shall ...

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TNSigned into law 07/2001P-12Child care report cards and tiered reimbursement system.
S.B. 1667; same as H.B. 1390
Establishes and implements a mandatory child care agency report card system and a separate and voluntary child care agency rated licensing s...

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MESigned into law 05/2001P-12Safety Standards for Nursery Schools
S.B. 291
(LD 1002) Authorizes the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for the safe operation of nursery schools....

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AZSigned into law 05/2001P-12Early Childhood Education Grant Evaluation
S.B. 1516
Relates to Early Childhood Education Grant Evaluation; provides that the legislative council shall develop outcome measures to indicate the ...

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INSigned into law 05/2001P-12Child care development vouchers
S.B. 110
Provides that a child care ministry that receives child care development voucher may only be required by a local Step Ahead Council to meet ...

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FLSigned into law 05/2001P-12Cuts Early Childhood Programs
S.B. 1162 - Omnibus
The following programs have been repealed by S.B. 1162:
1) Gold Seal Quality care program, a three tiered quality rating system
2) Early...

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COSigned into law 03/2001P-12Alternative Preschool Programs
S.B. 49
Requires school district preschool program councils to periodically assess whether alternative community providers are available and to ensu...

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WYSigned into law 02/2001P-12Regional Preschool Teacher Development
H.B. 113
Relates to regional development preschool system teachers; includes employment as a teacher in the regional development preschool system as ...

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NJSigned into law 09/2000P-12Facility Safety
S.B. 982
Exempts child care centers operated by a non-profit organization in a public school building from radon testing and certain other requiremen...

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CAVetoed 08/2000P-12Higher Standards for Public Child Care
A.B. 1986
Revises and recasts the indicators of quality child care and development programs. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to deve...

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ALSigned into law 03/2000P-12Accreditation of Preschool Programs
H.J.R. 96
Relates to preschool programs; requires preschools receiving funding under the early childhood block grant program to become accredited....

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AZSigned into law 03/2000P-12Preschool Accreditation
H.B. 2398
Relates to preschool programs; requires preschools receiving funding under the early childhood block grant program to become accredited....

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VASigned into law 03/2000P-12Preschool Compliance
S.B. 170
Provides that the guidelines for the at-risk four-year-old preschool program may be differentiated according to the agency delivering the se...

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WYSigned into law 03/2000P-12Preschool Programs
H.B. 185
Relates to preschool programs; provides a school district may establish a preschool program under certain conditions; provides for funding a...

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