Policy Pick: Current Bills that Impact ChildrenOctober 20, 2008 |
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 After a budget bill that cut many critical services for children and families, Governor Schwarzenegger's signature on two vital preschool bills provided one of the only rays of hope for California families looking to give their young children the best start possible. SB 1629 (Steinberg) and AB 2759 (Jones) establish a strong foundation for high-quality preschool by providing a framework for future resources, streamlining services and enhancing local flexibility, potentially giving thousands more children access to preschool. "Pre-Kindergarten education is the first formal step a child takes toward academic success and California's children deserve the highest-quality programs that put them on track to a successful future," the Governor said. "This legislation will help to ensure early education programs are available to the children who need them most and that the state continues to achieve higher quality child development programs." SB 1629 (Steinberg), the Early Learning Quality Improvement Act, establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee to propose recommendations on how to evaluate and improve the quality of child development programs providing services from birth to age 5, including preschool. The bill also establishes a framework for future resources necessary to achieve and maintain higher quality programs. AB 2759 (Jones), the California State Preschool Program Act of 2008, consolidates all the early childhood education programs in the state. Specifically, this Act will streamline funding, allowing expansion of preschool options, increase program availability and reduce administrative costs. The new laws, which do not spend any new general fund dollars, have elements that are eligible for First 5 funding. |
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