2013 -- S 1035

=======

LC02913

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN ACCESSIBILITY ACT

     Introduced By: Senator Hanna M. Gallo

     Date Introduced: June 27, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Education

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-99-4 and 16-99-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-99

1-2

entitled “Full-Day Kindergarten Accessibility Act” are hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     16-99-4. Eligible school districts; funding. --

1-4

      (a) A school district shall be eligible to receive request funding pursuant to subsection

1-5

16-96-4(b) 16-99-4(b), if:

1-6

     (1) The school district is a public school district; and

1-7

     (2) The school district operates a half-day kindergarten program as of September 1, 2011

1-8

2012, but not a full-day kindergarten, as defined herein, serving more than one-half of the

1-9

kindergarten students in the district as determined on a headcount basis.

1-10

     (b) Subject to appropriation, beginning with school year 2013-2014, the commissioner of

1-11

elementary and secondary education shall approve up to four (4) eligible public school districts

1-12

per year to voluntarily implement a full-day kindergarten program as defined herein. The

1-13

aforementioned schools school district shall receive funding to offset a portion of the reasonable

1-14

one-time, start-up costs including, but not limited to, desks, books, facility upgrades, ancillary

1-15

costs associated with relocation of students, costs associated with the development and

1-16

implementation of new curriculum, and any other necessary expenses associated with each

1-17

school's implementation of a full-day kindergarten program. Funds will be appropriated based

1-18

upon criteria established by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to ensure

1-19

the quality and sustainability of the full-day kindergarten programs implemented.

2-20

     (c) If more than four (4) eligible school districts apply in one year, or if the appropriation

2-21

does not support four (4) eligible districts, the commissioner of elementary and secondary

2-22

education shall determine which districts shall access the available funds for start-up costs. The

2-23

commissioner's decision shall consider the sustainability of the program and the average number

2-24

of children eligible for USDA reimbursable school meals served by the respective district’s

2-25

elementary schools. The commissioner may consider the school district’s plan ability of the

2-26

district to house the kindergarten enrollment, implement a quality full-day program. ,and sustain

2-27

the program once implemented, and the decision should maximize the number of students that

2-28

can enter full-day kindergarten program for that year.

2-29

     (d) School districts receiving funds pursuant to this chapter must operate only a full-day

2-30

program, no half-day programs. The full-day kindergarten program must continue to operate for

2-31

five (5) years.

2-32

     (e) All funding provided under this section is subject to appropriation.

2-33

     (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d), school districts who request funding

2-34

pursuant to this chapter may be allowed to phase-in the implementation of a full-day kindergarten

2-35

program, provided that the district provides the department of elementary and secondary

2-36

education with a schedule and plan as to the implementation of such program.

2-37

     16-99-5. Reporting.--

2-38

     The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall report to the

2-39

senate president, speaker of the house, and the governor on the progress of this initiative on or

2-40

before May 1st, 2013 2014, and on an annual basis by May 1st of each year thereafter.

2-41

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02913

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN ACCESSIBILITY ACT

***

3-1

     This act would expand the criteria to be considered by the commissioner of elementary

3-2

and secondary education when selecting and approving school districts that will receive stat

3-3

funding to assist in commencing a full-day kindergarten program. This act would also expand

3-4

upon areas where districts could expend such funds if selected by the commissioner.

3-5

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02913

=======