Senate Bill 2338 Summary

• Changes "prekindergarten program" to "early childhood education program" throughout statutes and allows school districts to establish and fund these programs with local tax revenues, state appropriations, federal funds, and donations.

• Requires teachers in approved early childhood education programs to be licensed or approved by the education standards and practices board, follow developmentally appropriate curriculum, and comply with health, fire, and safety requirements.

• Establishes program requirements including maximum class size of 20 students, adult-to-student ratio of 1:10, minimum 90 days of instruction, and admission priority for children from families meeting free or reduced lunch eligibility.

• Requires school districts receiving grants to establish an early childhood education advisory council including head start directors, licensed child care providers, business owners, local mayors, and parents.

• Appropriates $1,500,000 from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for grants to four school districts for the biennium July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013, with up to $50,000 available for administrative costs.