,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ejb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #g1 #bjac ,mr4 ,casey introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to assist ,states in providing voluntary high-quality universal prekindergarten programs and programs to support infants and toddlers4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,prepare ,all ,kids ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,high-quality prekindergarten programs ,title ,i of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating part ,i as part ,j2 and 7#b7 by inserting after part ,h the following3 ,i ,high-quality prekindergarten programs #ahda4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,investments in children and early childhood development education should be a national priority4 7#b7 ,state-funded preschool is the most rapidly expanding segment of the ,united ,states educational system1 but in many ,states a lack of stable funding poses an enormous threat to the provision or continuation of high-quality preschool4 7#c7 ,researchers1 educators1 and economists have long noted an achievement gap for low-income and minority students as compared to their more advantaged peers that is often already evident when children enter school for the first time4 7#d7 ,one study showed that before entering kindergarten1 the average cognitive scores of preschool-age children in the highest socioeconomic group are #fj percent above the average scores of preschool-age children in the lowest socioeconomic group4 7#e7 ,for low-income preschoolers1 research shows that high-quality early education and development is vital to closing the achievement gap between them and their more advantaged peers4 7#f7 ,numerous studies have shown that high-quality preschool programs-- 7,a7 improve a number of specific life outcomes for children2 and 7,b7 are cost-effective4 7#g7 ,the provision of high-quality prekindergarten is a cost-effective investment for children and for the ,nation4 ,research shows that for every #a invested in high-quality early childhood programs1 taxpayers save up to #g in crime1 welfare1 remedial and special education1 and other costs4 7#h7 ,high-quality early education increases academic success for schoolchildren who received that education by-- 7,a7 improving skills in areas such as following directions and problem solving2 7,b7 improving students' performance on standardized tests2 7,c7 reducing grade repetition2 7,d7 reducing the number of students placed in special education2 and 7,e7 increasing secondary school graduation rates4 7#i7 ,high-quality early education promotes responsible behavior by teens and adults who received that education by-- 7,a7 reducing crime1 delinquency1 and unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and drug use2 7,b7 lowering rates of teen pregnancy2 7,c7 leading to greater employment and higher wages for adults2 and 7,d7 contributing to more stable families4 7#aj7 ,high-quality prekindergarten programs prepare children to-- 7,a7 succeed in school2 7,b7 achieve higher levels of education2 and 7,c7 become citizens who-- 7i7 earn more in adulthood2 7ii7 compete in the global economy2 and 7iii7 contribute to our national prosperity4 7#aa7 ,the gap in developmental progress prior to preschool is significant for thousands of young children1 and needs to be addressed in order to have a strong foundation for children's progress in preschool and later years4 #ahdb4 ,definitions ,in this part3 7#a7 ,child ,the term child means an individual between the ages of birth and the legal entry age for which the ,state provides free kindergarten4 7#b7 ,full-day ,the term full-day means a school day that is equivalent to a full school day at the public elementary schools in the ,state4 7#c7 ,poverty line ,the term poverty line has the meaning given the term in section #fgc7b7 of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb7b77 and includes any revision required by that section4 7#d7 ,prekindergarten program ,the term prekindergarten program means a program that-- 7,a7 serves children who have attained the ,state's legal age for ,state-funded prekindergarten2 7,b7 addresses all domains1 including children's cognitive1 social1 emotional1 and physical development and approaches to learning2 and 7,c7 helps prepare such children for a successful transition to kindergarten4 7#e7 ,prekindergarten teacher ,the term prekindergarten teacher means an individual who teaches in a prekindergarten program and-- 7,a7 has a baccalaureate degree with a specialization in early childhood education or early childhood development2 or 7,b7 during the #f-year period following the first date on which the individual is employed as a teacher in a prekindergarten program assisted under this part1 is working toward such degree4 7#f7 ,qualified prekindergarten provider ,the term qualified prekindergarten provider includes a provider of a prekindergarten program1 a ,head ,start agency1 a provider of a child care program1 a school1 or other entities providing prekindergarten services for eligible children that-- 7,a7 is in existence on the date of the qualification determination2 7,b7 has demonstrated experience in providing early childhood education services to children2 and 7,c7 has met applicable requirements under ,state or local law that are designed to protect the health and safety of children and that are applicable to child care providers1 or similar health and safety standards for public elementary and secondary schools4 7#g7 ,state ,advisory ,council on ,early ,childhood ,education and ,care ,the term ,state ,advisory ,council on ,early ,childhood ,education and ,care means the ,state ,advisory ,council on ,early ,childhood ,education and ,care designated or established under section #fdb;,b of the ,head ,start ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihcg;b7 for a ,state4 #ahdc4 ,program authorization 7a7 ,prekindergarten incentive fund ,the ,secretary of ,education1 in collaboration and consultation with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 shall create a ,prekindergarten ,incentive ,fund1 to be administered by the ,secretary of ,education4 7b7 ,grants ,in administering the ,fund1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible ,states based on a formula established by the ,secretary in accordance with subsection 7c71 to pay for the ,federal share of the cost of awarding subgrants to qualified prekindergarten providers to establish1 expand1 or enhance voluntary high-quality full-day prekindergarten programs4 7c7 ,minimum allotment ,no ,state shall receive a grant allotment under subsection 7b7 for a fiscal year that is less than one-half of #a percent of the total amount made available to carry out this part for such fiscal year4 #ahdd4 ,state applications and requirements 7a7 ,designated state agency ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this part1 a ,state shall designate a ,state agency to administer the ,state program of assistance for prekindergarten programs funded through the grant1 including receiving and administering funds and monitoring the programs4 7b7 ,state application ,in order for a ,state to be eligible to receive a grant under this part1 the designated ,state agency shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require1 including-- 7#a7 an assurance that the ,state will award subgrants for prekindergarten programs in amounts that are sufficient to provide a high-quality prekindergarten experience2 7#b7 an assurance that not less than #be percent of the qualified prekindergarten providers receiving such subgrants will be providers of community-based programs2 7#c7 a description of the number of children in the ,state who are eligible for the prekindergarten programs and the needs that will be served through the prekindergarten programs2 7#d7 a description of how the ,state will ensure that the subgrants are awarded to a wide range of types of qualified prekindergarten providers2 7#e7 a description of how the designated ,state agency will collaborate and coordinate activities with the ,state ,advisory ,council on ,early ,childhood ,education and ,care1 ,state-funded providers of prekindergarten programs1 providers of federally funded programs such as ,head ,start agencies1 local educational agencies1 and child care providers2 7#f7 a description of how the ,state will ensure1 through a monitoring process1 that qualified prekindergarten providers receiving the subgrants provide prekindergarten programs that meet the standards of high-quality early education1 and use funds appropriately2 7#g7 a description of how the ,state will meet the needs of the most disadvantaged students1 including families at or below #bjj percent of the poverty line2 7#h7 a description of how the ,state will meet the needs of working parents2 and 7#i7 a description of how the ,state will assist in providing professional development assistance to prekindergarten teachers and teacher aides4 7c7 ,state and ,federal contributions 7#a7 ,federal share ,the ,federal share of the cost described in section #ahdc7;b7 shall be #ej percent4 ,the ,state shall provide the non-,federal share of the cost in cash4 7#b7 ,non-,federal share ,the ,state shall provide the non-,federal share of the cost described in section #ahdc7;b7 in cash4 ,a ,state may include1 as the ,state's non-,federal share1 ,state funds designated for ,state prekindergarten programs or to supplement ,head ,start programs1 but may not include any funds that are attributed as matching funds1 as part of a non-,federal share1 or as a maintenance of effort requirement1 for any other ,federal program4 7d7 ,supplementary ,federal funding ,funds made available under this part may be used only to supplement and not supplant other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 or private funds that would1 in the absence of the funds made available under this part1 be made available for early childhood programs4 7e7 ,maintenance of effort ,a ,state that receives a grant under this part for a fiscal year shall maintain the expenditures of the ,state for early childhood programs at a level not less than the level of such expenditures of the ,state for the preceding fiscal year4 #ahde4 ,state set asides and expenditures 7a7 ,infant and toddler set aside ,notwithstanding section #ahdc1 a ,state shall set aside not less than #ae percent of the funds made available through a grant awarded under this part for the purpose of funding high-quality early childhood development programs for children from birth through age #c4 ,funds made available under this subsection may also be used for professional development for teachers and teacher aides in classrooms for children from birth through age #c4 7b7 ,extended day and extended year set aside ,notwithstanding section #ahdc1 a ,state shall set aside not less than #aj percent of the funds made available through a grant awarded under this part for the purpose of extending the hours of early childhood development programs to create extended day and extended year programs4 7c7 ,administrative expenses ,not more than #e percent of the funds made available through a grant awarded under this part may be used for administrative expenses1 including monitoring4 #ahdf4 ,local applications ,to be eligible to receive a subgrant under this part1 a qualified prekindergarten provider shall submit an application to the designated ,state agency at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the agency may reasonably require1 including-- 7#a7 a description of how the qualified prekindergarten provider will meet the diverse needs of children in the community to be served1 including children with disabilities1 children whose native language is not ,english1 children with other special needs1 children in the ,state foster care system1 and homeless children2 7#b7 a description of how the qualified prekindergarten provider will serve eligible children who are not served through similar services or programs2 7#c7 a description of a plan for actively involving parents and families in the prekindergarten program and the success of their children in the program2 7#d7 a description of how children in the prekindergarten program1 and their parents and families1 will receive referrals to1 or assistance with1 accessing supportive services provided within the community2 7#e7 a description of how the qualified prekindergarten provider collaborates with the ,state ,advisory ,council on ,early ,childhood ,education and ,care and providers of other programs serving children and families1 including ,head ,start agencies1 providers of child care programs1 and local educational agencies1 to meet the needs of children1 families1 and working families1 as appropriate2 and 7#f7 a description of how the qualified prekindergarten provider will collaborate with local educational agencies to ensure a smooth transition for participating students from the prekindergarten program to kindergarten and early elementary education4 #ahdg4 ,local prekindergarten program requirements 7a7 ,mandatory uses of funds ,a qualified prekindergarten provider that receives a subgrant under this part shall use funds received through the grant to establish1 expand1 or enhance prekindergarten programs for children who are ages #c through #e1 including-- 7#a7 providing a prekindergarten program that supports children's cognitive1 social1 emotional1 and physical development and approaches to learning1 and helps prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten2 and 7#b7 purchasing educational equipment1 including educational materials1 necessary to provide a high-quality prekindergarten program4 7b7 ,permissible use of funds ,a qualified prekindergarten provider that receives a subgrant under this part may use funds received through the grant to-- 7#a7 extend part-day prekindergarten programs to full-day prekindergarten programs and year-round programs2 7#b7 pay for transporting students to and from a prekindergarten program2 and 7#c7 provide professional development assistance to prekindergarten teachers and teacher aides4 7c7 ,program requirements ,a qualified prekindergarten provider that receives a subgrant under this part shall carry out a high-quality prekindergarten program by-- 7#a7 maintaining a maximum class size of #bj children1 with at least #a prekindergarten teacher per classroom2 7#b7 ensuring that the ratio of children to prekindergarten teachers and teacher aides shall not exceed #aj to #a2 7#c7 utilizing a prekindergarten curriculum that is research- and evidence-based1 developmentally appropriate1 and designed to support children's cognitive1 social1 emotional1 and physical development1 and approaches to learning2 and 7#d7 ensuring that prekindergarten teachers meet the requirements of this part4 #ahdh4 ,reporting 7a7 ,qualified prekindergarten provider reports ,each qualified prekindergarten provider that receives a subgrant from a ,state under this part shall submit an annual report1 to the designated ,state agency1 that reviews the effectiveness of the prekindergarten program provided4 ,such annual report shall include-- 7#a7 data specifying the number and ages of enrolled children1 and the family income1 race1 gender1 disability1 and native language of such children2 7#b7 a description of-- 7,a7 the curriculum used by the program2 7,b7 how the curriculum supports the enrolled children's cognitive1 social1 emotional1 and physical development and approaches to learning2 and 7,c7 how the curriculum is appropriate for children of the culture1 language1 and ages of the children served2 and 7#c7 a statement of all sources of funding received by the program1 including ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and private funds4 7b7 ,state reports ,each ,state that receives a grant under this part shall submit an annual report to the ,secretary detailing the effectiveness of all prekindergarten programs funded under this part in the ,state4 7c7 ,report to congress ,the ,secretary shall submit an annual report to ,congress that describes the ,state programs of assistance for prekindergarten programs funded under this part4 #ahdi4 ,prohibited use of assessments for young children ,funds available under this part1 including funds provided as the non-,federal share required under section #ahdd7;c77#b71 may not be used for assessments of children in prekindergarten programs or early childhood development programs for any of the following3 7a7 ,assessments that provide or lead to rewards or sanctions for individual children1 teachers1 programs1 or schools4 7b7 ,a single assessment used as the primary or sole method for assessing program effectiveness4 7c7 ,evaluating children other than for-- 7#a7 improving instruction or classroom environment2 7#b7 targeting high-quality1 evidence-based professional development2 7#c7 determining the need for health1 mental health1 disability1 or family support services2 7#d7 informing the quality improvement process at the ,state level2 7#e7 program evaluation for the purposes of program improvement and parent information2 or 7#f7 research conducted as part of a national evaluation4 #ahej4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years #bjad through #bjah4 4 #c4 ,conforming amendments 7a7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents in section #b of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the item relating to the part heading for part ,i of title ,i and inserting the following3 ,part ,j--,general ,provisions2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #ahcj the following3 ,part ,i--,high-,quality ,prekindergarten ,programs ,sec4 #ahda4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #ahdb4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #ahdc4 ,program authorization4 ,sec4 #ahdd4 ,state applications and requirements4 ,sec4 #ahde4 ,state set asides and expenditures4 ,sec4 #ahdf4 ,local applications4 ,sec4 #ahdg4 ,local prekindergarten program requirements4 ,sec4 #ahdh4 ,reporting4 ,sec4 #ahdi4 ,prohibited use of assessments for young children4 ,sec4 #ahej4 ,authorization of appropriations4 4 7b7 ,conforming provisions ,sections #acjd7;c77#b7 and #adae7;a77#b77;,c7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcid7;c77#b71 #fdce7;a77#b77;,c77 are each amended by striking part ,i and inserting part ,j4