BILL NUMBER: AB 571 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2007
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Jones
FEBRUARY 21, 2007
An act to add Sections 8235.1 and 8235.2 to the Education
Code, relating to preschool.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 571, as amended, Jones. Preschool: access.
Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to
administer state preschool programs, including part-day and preschool
appropriate programs for prekindergarten children 3 to 5 years of
age, in educational development, health services, social services,
nutritional services, parent education and participation, evaluation,
and staff development.
This bill would express the Legislature's intent to
expand access to effective preschool programs, especially for
children most in need require access to state
preschool programs for all 3- and 4-year old children from low-income
families by 2011-12. The bill would require a system of
professional development to be developed for
prekindergarten teachers, and would require the State Department of
Education to develop teaching competencies and issue a report to the
Legislature by January 31, 2009 .
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no
yes . State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares the
following:
(a) Learning begins at the earliest stages of life. The
participation of a child in a quality preschool education program
plays a critical role in the child's success in school. Research
shows that children who participate in quality preschool programs are
more likely to become proficient readers by the third grade,
graduate from high school, and go on to college. Children who do not
attend a quality preschool are more likely to fall behind their peers
in early grades and are less likely to do well throughout their
school careers. Children who attend a quality preschool do better in
kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, which benefits the state, the K-12
system, and individual families and pupils.
(b) Children from low-income families and English language
learners benefit the most from quality preschool.
(c) Effective preschool provides young learners with early
academic and social skills that prepare them for later learning.
Developing these skills requires instruction through developmentally
appropriate strategies from a skilled, effective teaching staff.
(d) There is a severe shortage of quality, affordable preschool
education opportunities for California children, and California lags
behind the nation in preschool enrollment. In a statewide survey,
three out of four publicly funded preschools were found to have
waiting lists, leaving behind tens of thousands of children from
low-income families. Without significant resources to expand access
and facilities, eligible children will continue to go unserved.
(e) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide voluntary,
effective, preschool for California's children, starting with all
three- and four-year old children from low-income families by
2011-12.
SEC. 2. Section 8235.1 is added to the
Education Code , to read:
8235.1. (a) There shall be access to state preschool programs for
all three- and four-year old children from low-income families by
2011-12, with a priority for four-year old children.
(b) Preschool program, instruction, curriculum, and
developmentally appropriate assessments shall be aligned with
kindergarten and early elementary education to ease the transition
from one level of schooling to another.
(c) Participating programs shall utilize the preschool learning
foundations of the department.
(d) Preschool teachers shall be trained in order to provide
instruction that meets the diverse needs of children, including
English language learners and children with special needs.
(e) State preschool programs shall be funded at a level that
enables them to attract and retain effective teachers and staff and
meet other program requirements to ensure positive preschool
outcomes.
(f) A system of evaluation that measures program effectiveness and
outcomes for children shall be developed so that children enter
kindergarten with strong foundations in literacy and learning.
(g) State preschool programs shall include opportunities for
parent involvement in preschool settings, including promoting family
literacy.
(h) To meet the needs of working parents, programs shall be
integrated with full-day care when needed.
(i) Children of all cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds
and neighborhoods shall be welcomed into inclusive programs designed
to meet their needs.
(j) State preschool programs shall connect families to other
services, including health and nutrition resources that support the
readiness of children to learn.
SEC. 3. Section 8235.2 is added to the
Education Code , to read:
8235.2. (a) In order to ensure that teachers working with
children in the prekindergarten years have the necessary knowledge
and skills, a system of professional development that includes the
following shall be developed:
(1) Education supports for existing and aspiring prekindergarten
teachers and staff including financial aid and other supports.
(2) Higher education programs prepared to train prekindergarten
teachers and staff.
(3) The development of teaching competencies for instructional
staff who work with prekindergarten age children.
(b) The State Department of Education shall develop teaching
competencies and issue a report to the Legislature by January 31,
2009. The department shall collaborate with the Office of the
Secretary for Education and the California Children and Families
Commission. Other stakeholders involved shall include California
Community Colleges, the California State Universities, the University
of California, the California Counties Superintendents Educational
Services Association, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing,
kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, the early care and
education community, and other experts and stakeholders, including
parents.
(c) The department shall ensure there is a process for meaningful
public input prior to issuing the report to the Legislature.
(d) Teaching competencies shall do all of the following:
(1) Align with the preschool learning foundations of the
department.
(2) Prepare teachers to use developmentally appropriate strategies
with children and to prepare them for kindergarten success.
(3) Prepare teachers to meet the individual needs of all children,
including English language learners and children with special needs.
(4) Prepare early childhood education staff to foster positive
relationships and involvement with families.
(5) Lead to articulated early childhood education courses in
colleges and universities.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature
to expand access to effective preschool programs, especially for
children most in need.