SB 602 Summary

• Requires the Indiana Department of Education to establish standards, requirements, and guidelines for approving preschool education programs for children ages 4-5, including facility standards, curricula, teacher qualifications, and kindergarten readiness assessments.

• Prohibits public schools and charter schools from charging tuition or fees for approved preschool education programs, though charter schools may charge tuition for non-approved preschool programs.

• Allows public schools to apply for department approval to operate preschool programs and permits schools to offer programs in suitable spaces outside existing facilities if space is inadequate, either within school corporation boundaries or near charter school facilities.

• Counts each child enrolled in an approved preschool education program as one-half pupil in the average daily membership (ADM) for state tuition support formula funding, effective January 1, 2014.

• Schools must provide the department with kindergarten readiness assessment results and any other required information for approved preschool programs.