BILL NUMBER: AB 2592	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 8, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Buchanan

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2010

    An act relating to the Early Learning Quality Improvement
System.   An act to add Article 14.7 (commencing with
Section 8310) to Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the
Education Code, relating to early   childhood education.




	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2592, as amended, Buchanan. Early Learning Quality Improvement
System.
   Existing law establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement
System Advisory Committee for the purpose of developing a policy and
implementation plan for an Early Learning Quality Improvement System
for the state. Existing law requires the committee to submit to the
Legislature and the Governor an interim report by December 31, 2009,
and a final report by December 31, 2010. The report is required to
address various issues relating to early care and education programs
that serve children from birth to 5 years of age, inclusive.
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation relating to the Early Learning Quality Improvement
System   require the State Department of Education to
develop and implement a quality rating scale based on   the
committee's recommendations. The bill would also require the
California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and
Care to conduct an annual review of the quality rating scale, and
provide ongoing recommendations for improvement  .
   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 all
of the following:  
   (a) Numerous studies have shown that high-quality early learning
programs for low-income children significantly narrow the achievement
gap, reduce the high school dropout rate, and produce savings from
lower costs in special education, welfare, recidivism or prisons, or
both, and crime.  
   (b) Senate Bill 1629 of the 2007-08 Regular Session, enacted as
Chapter 41 of the Statutes of 2009, established the Early Learning
Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee to assess the current
early care and education infrastructure, including other state and
local quality rating systems, and develop an early learning quality
rating scale and implementation plan for the Early Learning Quality
Improvement System.  
   (c) On March 10, 2009, President Barack Obama called on the United
States Congress to create the federal Early Learning Challenge Fund,
a proposal that would challenge states to develop effective,
innovative models that promote high standards of quality and a focus
on outcomes across early learning settings. In the President's 2011
Budget, he dedicated $9 billion over 10 years toward this effort.
 
   (d) On November 16, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed
Executive Order S-23-09 that established the California State
Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care to build on
the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee's
work, and to ensure that California is eligible to compete for and
maximize its share of new federal early learning dollars.  
   (e) It is the intent of the Legislature that the development of
the Early Learning Quality Improvement System provide a quality
rating scale with program indicators that promote high-quality early
care and education and future academic success. 
   SEC. 2.    Article 14.7 (commencing with Section
8310) is added to Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the
  Education Code   , to read:  

      Article 14.7.  Early Learning Quality Improvement System Act


   8310.  For purposes of this article, "early care and education
providers" and "early care and education facilities" mean early care
and education providers or facilities that are regulated pursuant to
Title 5 or Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
   8311.  The department shall develop and implement a quality rating
scale based on the recommendations submitted by the Early Learning
Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee pursuant to Section
8301. The quality rating scale shall do the following:
   (a) Measure the quality of services of an early care and education
provider.
   (b) Measure elements of quality of an early care and education
facility that include, but are not limited to, the following:
   (1) Quality of the learning environment.
   (2) Quality of adult-child interactions.
   (3) Adult-to-child ratios.
   (4) Provider's education and professional qualifications,
including those recognized by the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing.
   (5) Parent and family involvement.
   (c) Inform parents and other consumers of early care and education
services about the quality of a facility in a simple and easy to
understand manner.
   8312.  The California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood
Education and Care shall conduct an annual review of the program and
provide ongoing recommendations for the improvement of the quality
rating scale.
   8313.  The department shall develop and implement any rules and
regulations necessary for the implementation of this article. 

  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation relating to the Early Learning Quality
Improvement System.