State Legislation Approved or Adopted (Signed by Governor) as of June 5, 2003

Creation of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board: This new Board will promote school readiness by supporting community-based efforts to increase the number of children who are ready to succeed by the time they enter school. The responsibilities of the Partnership for School Readiness Board will include: conducting a thorough assessment of existing public and private programs to determine their effectiveness; implementing a public engagement campaign; providing leadership at the state level to encourage communities to develop and improve school readiness opportunities at the local level to encourage and empower local communities; and establishing standards of accountability in school readiness programs and policy and recognizing and promoting the best practices. Approved by the Governor on April 22, 2003. Link to news article: http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/899/public/news452340.html

Aligning Early Childhood Education Programs: New Mexico will conduct a study of the alignment of early childhood education programs and establish a framework for a statewide comprehensive and universal system of preschool programs. Approved by the Governor on April 18, 2003.

Early Childhood Education Program Assessment: Mississippi will conduct assessments of all pre-kindergarten programs in public schools and licensed child care centers. The findings of the assessments will be used to make recommendations on the need for additional early childhood education programs and the steps necessary to ensure programs are operating in the state meet or exceed recognized standards of excellence. Approved by the Governor on April 21, 2003.

STATE NEWS

NEVADA: The child care rating program in Clark County (Las Vegas) was dismantled in order to provide more resources to their Public Defenders Office. For more information: http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Apr-16-Wed-2003/news/21119981.html

TENNESSEE: The state Senate voted not to implement lower teacher-to-child ratios at child care centers. Complaints about the cost of the changes were cited for rescinding the new rules, which were set to go into effect on July 1, 2003. For more information: http://www.wbir.com/News/news.asp?ID=12499