Report Title:

Early Childhood Development; Pre-Kindergarten; Newborn Children

 

Description:

Requires the department of education to plan, design, and implement a pre-kindergarten academy for four-year-old children and an educational resource program for parents of newborn children.  Appropriates funds.

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2661

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to early childhood education.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that investing 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 in Hawaii have inadequate skills needed to learn at that age, and that the skill deficit is often never made up.  National studies show that for every dollar spent on early childhood education, the State saves $7 in addressing subsequent remedial and social problems.

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

     The legislature also realizes that a new program needs to be placed in the context of existing, ongoing programs such as K-12 education.  The pre-kindergarten academy program shall accept children universally.  Thus, program participants will 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 young child, particularly parents who have a newborn child.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a pre-kindergarten academy program for four-year-old children and an educational resource center for parents of newborn children.

     SECTION 2.  The department of education shall plan, design, and implement a pre-kindergarten academy program 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 full day of care.  The program shall begin no later than summer 2009.  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.

     SECTION 3.  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 2008-2009 for the department of education to plan and design a 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.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  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 2008-2009 for the department of education to contract for the planning, design, and operation of an educational resource program for parents of newborn 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 provided to parents as perinatal care and may include follow up contact, as necessary.  This educational resource program shall be implemented in conjunction with other early childhood programs that have set standards and assist parents with the development of their child.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session on its progress in developing the pre-kindergarten academy program and the educational resource program.  The report shall include financial statements and any other information as the legislature may request.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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