SB14-006: Early Childhood Educator Development Scholarship Program

• Expands scholarship program to provide stipends for any postsecondary degree or certificate in early childhood education, not just associate degrees

• Transfers program administration from the Department of Education to the State Board of Education and adds diversity of applicants as an award criterion

• Authorizes appropriation of state general fund and state education fund moneys to support the program, eliminating prior requirement that program be funded solely through federal grants and donations

• Adds criterion allowing State Board to award stipends only to applicants serving high-needs children, as defined by board rule

• Repeals Section 22-9.7-104, which previously required the program to be terminated if federal grants or donations were not received