Title: Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that establishes the California Prekindergarten Program, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.
Highlights:
Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program to achieve certain standards including, but not limited to, the following standards (Sec. 2):
To build on high quality early learning programs, including federal Head Start programs, to sustain and support the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development of enrolled children.
To teach language development for non-English speakers.
Authorizes 4 year old children enrolled in a state-funded prekindergarten program to be eligible for supplemental education and care services under the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
They are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch;
They are eligible for Cal-Fresh or Medi-Cal programs; or
Their family’s adjusted median income is at or below 70 percent of the state median income, adjusted annually for family size.
Authorizes a school district or charter school that offers kindergarten to provide prekindergarten to the following children, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year (Sec. 2):
Any child that is eligible for free or reduced price meals;
Any child that is not eligible to enroll in a kindergarten school; and
Any child that will have his or her fourth birthday on or before September 1st of the applicable school year.
Requires a school district or charter school that offers kindergarten to provide prekindergarten to the following children, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year (Sec. 2):
Any child that is eligible for free or reduced price meals;
Any child that is not eligible to enroll in a kindergarten school; and
Any child that will have his or her fourth birthday on or before September 1st of the applicable school year.
Requires all prekindergarten teachers to possess certain credentials including, but not limited to, the following credentials on or before July 1, 2021 (Sec. 2):
A bachelor’s degree with at least 24 units in early childhood education or development; and
A teaching permit or credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Requires all prekindergarten paraprofessionals to possess certain credentials including, but not limited to, the following credentials on or before July 1, 2021 (Sec. 2):
At least 24 units in early childhood education or development; and
A teaching permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Requires prekindergarten classes of 20 or fewer children to be staffed by at least 1 prekindergarten teacher and 1 prekindergarten paraprofessional (Sec. 2).
Requires prekindergarten classes of 21 or more children to be staffed by at least 1 prekindergarten teacher and 2 prekindergarten paraprofessionals (Sec. 2).
Prohibits prekindergarten classes from exceeding 24 children beginning in the 2019-2020 school year (Sec. 2).