State Legislation Adopted or Approved (Signed by Governor) as of August 1, 2003

COORDINATING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Program coordination: Legislation in Texas calls for better coordination between pre-kindergarten, Head Start and other child care programs. It will establish one state agency that will provide parents seeking subsidized care with a single point of entry for information on all three programs. The legislation also includes demonstration projects, a quality ratings system, and a new advisory committee. Advocates in Texas are giving input on an implementation plan. Signed by the Governor on June 20, 2003.

Early Learning Council created: Illinois is creating the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing programs and services for children from birth to five years of age. Signed by the Governor on July 24, 2003.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Recommendations for content of universal pre-kindergarten: Florida's State Board of Education must submit a report with recommendations for curriculum, design, and standards for the program. No date of submission is stated in the legislation. Signed by the Governor on June 4, 2003.

Pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten task force: Delaware established a task force to develop a plan for the implementation of universal pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten. Signed by the Governor on June 30, 2003.

FUNDING EARLY CHILDHOOD

Changes in funding for early childhood programs: Missouri enacted legislation that cuts the amount of funding for early childhood programs from the state's Gaming Commission Fund that goes to early childhood programs. Those funds will be shifted to veterans' groups. Signed by the Governor on June 16, 2003.

Funding for infant/toddler programs: Illinois increased the percentage of funds - from 8% to 11% - of funding from the state Early Childhood Education Block Grant for programs for children ages birth to three. Signed by the Governor on July 29, 2003.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILD CARE STAFF

In-service training requirements for child care personnel: Florida now requires training in early literacy and language development; annual training and annual health and safety home inspection self-evaluations by family day care home operators; and annual training for operators of large family child care homes. Signed by the Governor on June 10, 2003.

Career ladder programs: Connecticut is establishing a Career Ladder Advisory Committee that includes the early childhood workforce. The committee must develop a three-year plan for career ladder programs for the early childhood education and child care workforce. Signed by the Governor on June 26, 2003.

Scholarship program for child care teachers: Louisiana has established a scholarship program for child care staff who obtain training from programs approved by the Department of Social Services. Signed by the Governor on June 27, 2003.

K-12 SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS

Changes to K-12 teacher certification: Newly enacted legislation in Connecticut states that an elementary teaching endorsement is valid for kindergarten to grade 6 and a comprehensive special education teaching endorsement is valid for kindergarten to grade 12; requires the state board of education to establish requirements for subject area endorsements; and requires teacher certification to include teaching experience in birth-to three programs approved by the Department of Mental Retardation. Signed by the Governor on June 26, 2003.

Voluntary teacher licensure: This legislation establishes a voluntary licensure and certification system for non-public school teachers, specialists, and administrators in Delaware. Signed by the Governor on July 15, 2003.

K-12 Teacher induction and mentoring program: Illinois is creating a public school, K-12 teacher induction and mentoring program to assist new teachers in developing their skills and strategies. Mentors will be assigned to new teachers for at least two years. Signed by the Governor on July 24, 2003.

PARENT INFORMATION

Licensing information for parents: Facilities in North Carolina must provide parents with a summary of the Division of Child Development's laws pertaining to child care facilities, including information about how parents can obtain information on an individual child care program. Signed by the Governor on June 12, 2003.