NC H1026

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Instruction, and other state agencies administering early education programs to collaborate on developing and implementing a statewide vision for early childhood education.

Requires collaborating agencies to inventory and evaluate all state programs and services in early childhood education.

Mandates study of the transition from NC Pre-K to public kindergarten with recommendations to ensure successful transitions for children.

Requires development of a comprehensive approach to early childhood education from birth through third grade, including cross-agency accountability with data indicators to measure system success.

Requires initial report to House and Senate Appropriations Committee chairs and Fiscal Research Division by February 1, 2017, with follow-up report to Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by February 1, 2018.