BILL NUMBER: AB 2909	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Furutani

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2008

   An act relating to preschool.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2909, as introduced, Furutani. Preschool: Preschool Advisory
Council.
   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, inclusive, 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 enact
legislation to establish the Preschool Advisory Council, to ensure
that implementation of preschool policy, framework, assessment,
curriculum, or staff development meets specified requirements.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to establish the Preschool Advisory Council, to ensure
that implementation of preschool policy, framework, assessment,
curriculum, or staff development meets the following requirements:
   (1)  Is presented on a continuum and is not age specific. By
having the foundation presented on a continuum, educators will be
able to work on a more individualized level with children to address
their abilities and needs.
   (2) Is presented in a format that is clear, concise, and
reader-friendly to practitioners in the field, with an emphasis on
practical classroom use.
   (3) Reflects the whole context of child development, with an
emphasis on the way young children learn through play and the
influence of constructivist theories. Play-based vignettes should be
inserted throughout all the foundations as the central context.
   (b) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the Preschool
Advisory Council meets all of the following requirements:
   (1) Is comprised of experts who have a demonstrated background in
preschool provision, research, assessment, and program evaluation.
Members of the council shall represent the regional, ethnic, and
cultural diversity of preschoolers and their families in the state.
   (2) Reviews existing and proposed preschool policy, foundations,
framework, assessment, curriculum, staff development, training, and
programs within six months of forming, and submits a report with
findings and recommendations to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction by June 30, 2009.
   (3) Develops and oversees alignment with the desired results
developmental profile.