Bill introduced to prioritize early learning

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would establish universal voluntary early learning for 3- and 4- year olds in Washington. HB 2448 would also focus on birth to three programs.

Despite the state’s tough economic situation, there have been highlights in early learning. Many people now recognize that investment in high-quality early learning pays great dividends. Studies show that for every $1 spent, there is anywhere from $7-16 in savings. Last year, the state Legislature passed WaKIDS, a kindergarten transition process that brings kindergarten teachers together with parents and early learning providers to get kids started out on the right foot. Then in December, we found out that Washington was a winner in the federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge.

And now early learning advocates are looking to enhance our state’s offerings once again, this time with HB 2448.

Some highlights:

• Tiered services – education and screening elements for all children with comprehensive services according to need
• Funding based on student population
• Mixed delivery system including  for/nonprofit child care,  tribal governments, and schools
• Parent cost-sharing kick in above 250% of federal poverty level (about $56,000 for a family of four)
• Professional development for provider/teachers
• Evaluation and accountability measures

From birth to age 5, children go through growth that profoundly influences the course of their lives. Long before they reach kindergarten, they build the fundamental brain architecture that will help them get along in the world.

Rigorous research finds that high-quality early education can equip young children with life skills everyone: the ability to pay attention, respond responsibly to stress, and interact successfully with others. It can also boost school achievement, lower enrollment in special education, increase college attendance rates, and build a more just and prosperous state.

We count on kids to grow into healthy, hardworking adults who can maintain Washington’s competitive edge in the global economy. Yet more than half of children entering kindergarten classrooms across our state aren’t getting all they can from their first year of K-12.

If we invest in their first years, we can do far more to prepare our young to be the solid citizens and skilled workers of tomorrow.

Tight budget times demand that we maximize our investments. Short term costs for early education are more than offset by immediate and long-term benefits. If high-quality early learning programs for the most at-risk children were implemented, budget gains in Washington would surpass costs in 10 years or less. (Special thanks to the Early Learning Action Alliance for the summary.)

For those of you who love all all of the details, here’s a pretty good summary of the bill:

High Quality Early Learning Act of 2012

• Amends current law, established by 2SHB 2731 in 2010, which created a preschool program for low-income and at-risk children, to establish a new preschool program with expanded eligibility and modified program components (based on the technical work group’s recommendations);

• Implements the new voluntary preschool program in phases;

• States the legislature’s intent to concurrently phase-in high-quality preschool readiness programs (targeted birth to three and high-quality child care programs);

• Establishes a subcommittee under the Early Learning Advisory Council to develop and report a preschool readiness implementation plan;

• States that upon full implementation in the 2024-25 school year, the new preschool program will be an entitlement for all three and four-year-old children in Washington;

Articulates the following program components:

• All 3 and 4 year-old children are eligible;
• Until implementation is complete, the DEL must implement guidelines for prioritizing eligible children;
• Families with incomes above 250% of the federal poverty-level are required to pay a co-pay (amount set by DEL);
• Allows, but does not require, providers to expend funds on transporting children;
• Requires a minimum of four-hundred and fifty classroom hours to be provided;
• Phases in the requirement for lead teachers to have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent competencies;
• Limits class-size to 18 children per class;
• Limits the teacher:child ratio to 1:9;
• Provides child health coordination services; and
• Requires DEL to adopt program performance standards or rules for the new program.
• Public and private early learning providers may apply so long as the program is free from religious instruction, activities or symbolism, control or influence during the period covered by the program.
• Existing organizations that receive funding through ECEAP are eligible and encouraged to apply for contract under the new program.
• Requires DEL to award contracts beginning in elementary school enrollment areas [*as defined by school districts], providing all-day kindergarten and where there is lower than average access to head start or ECEAP.