House Bill 352 Summary

• Requires local school boards to organize schools by specific grade classifications: elementary (K-6), middle school (7-8), and high school (9-12), with exceptions for districts with low enrollment that may operate K-12 facilities with age/grade separation.

• Removes local school board duties to facilitate prekindergarten programs and directs parents of children ages 3-5 in state-funded early childhood programs to enroll in Head Start, licensed child care facilities, or independent school prekindergarten programs instead.

• Brings forward Section 37-21-51 regarding the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2007, which authorizes the Department of Human Services to administer voluntary early care and education grants through partnerships with Head Start agencies and licensed providers.

• Effective July 1, 2012.