E-network : Pre-K Update
April 10, 2008
Act 62 and Related Rules
The Kids Are Priority One Coalition continues to learn of new early education partnerships springing up all across Vermont. This is exciting on many levels: improved quality, increased access to affordable early education for families with young children, and the financial stabilization of participating early care and education programs.
The Vermont Department of Education and the Vermont Department for Children and Families are currently revising the proposed pre-k rules (required by Act 62), based on input received during the comment period. A revised draft of the rules was shared with the State Board of Education for discussion purposes only at its April 8th meeting. (Check the Vermont Department of Education's web site next week for the version of the rules reviewed by the Board of Education.) The Board will vote on the rules at its May 20th meeting.
H. 884
H.884, a bill that passed the Vermont House of Representatives and is now in the Senate Education Committee, would automatically make existing pre-k programs offered through a school district that are not yet participating in the Step Ahead Recognition Program (STARS) eligible for a three-STAR rating for the 2008-2009 school year. The bill also calls on the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Education to develop rules for the STARS program. The Senate Education Committee will most likely vote on the bill this week.
STARS Orientation Sessions (adapted from a summary provided by Mark Sustic, Coordinator, Vermont Community Preschool Collaborative)
Act 62 requires that each program--school-based or contracted programs in communities--obtain a specified quality rating. This can mean national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or a minimum of a three-star rating. with a plan for obtaining four stars.
As noted above, the date by which programs must attain this status is still under legislative discussion. Depending on the outcome of H. 884, all programs must meet this quality standard either by the 2008-09 or the 2009-10 school year. New or existing public pre-k programs should become knowledgeable about STARS and the application process.
To ensure that school districts and their partners have the opportunity to learn about STARS and the application process, several regional orientation sessions have been scheduled with Learning Partners, Inc., the administrators of STARS. At these meetings, participants will have the opportunity to review the 5 arenas, learn about the incentive bonuses available, ask questions and discuss STARS as it applies to public school programs. Applications will be available, and time will also be spent on answering specific questions about the application and the verifications needed.
All sessions are scheduled from 3- 5 PM.
- April 9 - Bennington (Assembly Room at the Career Development Center at Mt. Anthony Union High School)
- April 14- Middlebury (Mary Hogan School Media Center--ring buzzer for entry)
- April 22- St. Johnsbury (St. Johnsbury School Conference Room)
- May 7- Springfield (Springfield Parent Child Center- No. Springfield)
- May 12- Winooski (John F. Kennedy School- Room 51)
- May 14 (tentative)- Morrisville (Morrisville Elementary School)
For more information about the Kids Are Priority One Coalition's work related to Act 62 and the pre-k rules, contact Kim Friedman, Organizing Director, Kids Are Priority One Coalition, at (802) 348-9879 or kfriedman@svcable.net.