E-network : PreK rules update
KIDS ARE PRIORITY ONE COALITION
Live the Promise

January 18, 2008
____________ _________ __

Public Hearings Scheduled
on PreK Rules
____________ _________ __


PUBLIC HEARINGS

The State Board of Education has scheduled two public hearings regarding the proposed rules related to Act 62:
  • Monday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m., Montpelier High School
  • Wednesday, Feb. 13, 3:30 p.m. at the Rutland Chamber of Commerce (the hearing may be extended into the evening to accommodate family child care providers)
Testimony should be limited to the proposed rules, which can be found at: http://education. vermont.gov/ new/pdfdoc/ board/packet_ archives/ packet_07_ 1120/item_ N.pdf

More information about the public comment period will be posted on the Vermont Department of Education's web site on Monday, Jan. 21st. The Department is considering additional ways to get public input on the rules.

A stakeholders' group, convened by Commissioners Cate (Vermont Department of Education) and Dale (Vermont Department for Children and Families), provided the two Commissioners with extensive input regarding the rules. The Commissioners were very responsive to the group's reactions and suggestions, most of which are reflected in the draft rules they proposed to the State Board of Education.

Of particular significance is Section 2604 "Contracting with Existing Qualified Prekindergarten Programs," (1)(b)(1) regarding payment provisions. The rules propose using the actual cost of providing high-quality early education as the starting point for negotiating contracts between school districts and qualified private providers (center-based and family child care). This provision would help to raise awareness about the cost of providing quality early learning experiences and help providers to get closer to covering those costs.

Another provision in the same section--(1) (b)(4)--is also worth highlighting. It permits programs to charge parents the difference between the actual cost of contracted services and the amount paid for those services by the district. While not required to do so, this option would help programs that choose this option to receive payment that is closer to the actual costs of providing high-quality early education services.

The proposed rules include quality standards that need to met to qualify as a provider that can contract with a school district (see Section 2606 "Qualified Prekindergarten Education Programs"):
  • NAEYC accreditation OR
  • minimum of 4 stars, with at least 2 points in each of the five arenas OR
  • 3 stars if the program has an approved plan to achieve 4 or more stars within 3 years.
In terms of staff qualifications, each contracted center must employ or contract for the services of at least one teacher who is licensed with an endorsement in either early childhood education or early childhood special education. Registered family child care providers must either fulfill these requirements or employ/contract with someone who does (see Section 2607 "Staff Qualifications").

For more information, contact Kim Friedman, Organizing Director, Kids Are Priority One Coalition, at kfriedman@svcable. net or 348-9879, or Barbara Postman, the Coalition's Policy Coordinator, at bpostman@voicesforv tkids.org or 229-6377.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RE. ACT 62 AVAILABLE

Attached are three fact sheets with information about Act 62, a law related to pre-kindergarten education which was enacted on July 1, 2007. Some provisions became effective on that date while additional rules, currently under development through a public rule-making process, will take effect July, 2008.

To help explain the major elements of the law, the Child Development Division (VT Department for Children and Families) and the Department of Education have prepared three separate fact sheets have been written for families with young children, early care and education providers, and school districts. These fact sheets will also be posted shortly on the Department of Education's and the Department for Children and Families' web sites.

Technical assistance for Act 62 is available from the Department of Education and the Child Development Division. For questions and additional information concerning these fact sheets, please contact either the Early Education Team at the Vermont Department of Education (tel. 828-3892/3850) or the Child Development Division (tel. 241-3110).