IL HB5322

State Board of Education implements and administers a grant program for voluntary preschool educational programs for children ages 3 to 5, including parent education components, through public school districts and eligible entities.

Preschool teachers must hold an early childhood teaching certificate.

Paragraph (4) provisions are removed, and paragraph (4.5) is revised to provide primary funding through state appropriations with goal of "Preschool for All Children" based on available funds, prioritizing programs serving at-risk children and those with family income below 4 times federal poverty level.

Grantees must enter into memoranda of understanding with local Head Start agencies within 3 months of grant award (or by State Board deadline for 2009-2010 program year) to address collaboration on educational activities, staff training, parent outreach, facility use, and comprehensive services.

State Board of Education must develop evaluation tools for school readiness, report to General Assembly by November 1, 2010 and every 3 years thereafter on preschool program results and student academic progress, and provide annual reports on distribution of new funding to programs serving at-risk children and low-income families.