HB3900 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 14208 NHT 63079 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB3900

Introduced 10/17/2019, by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/2-3.71b new

Amends the School Code. Requires each school district maintaining elementary grades to ensure that a developmentally appropriate half-day preschool education program that helps children with their interpersonal and socialization skills is provided for (i) each child in the district who has been identified as a child with a disability in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and who is 3 or 4 years of age by August 1 and (ii) each child in the district who is at risk of educational failure and who is 4 years of age by August 1. Provides that all other 4-year-old children shall be served to the extent placements are available. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing guidelines for the program and to receive and review proposals from school districts for grants to operate or oversee the operation of programs. Sets forth program proposal and funding requirements. Effective July 1, 2020.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.71b as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.71b new)

Sec. 2-3.71b. Preschool for children with disabilities and children at risk of educational failure; grants.

(a) In this Section, "developmentally appropriate" means a focus on the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of young children.

(b) Each school district maintaining elementary grades shall ensure that a developmentally appropriate half-day preschool education program that helps children with their interpersonal and socialization skills is provided for (i) each child in the district who has been identified as a child with a disability in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and who is 3 or 4 years of age by August 1 and (ii) each child in the district who is at risk of educational failure and who is 4 years of age by August 1. Children who are at risk of educational failure shall be identified based on the National School Lunch Program's eligibility criteria for a free lunch. All other 4-year-old children shall be served to the extent placements are available. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules establishing the guidelines for the program. The rules shall establish eligibility criteria, program guidelines, and standards for personnel.

(c) In addition to grants administered under Section 2-3.71, the State Board of Education shall receive and review proposals from school districts for grants to operate or oversee the operation of developmentally appropriate preschool education programs under this Section. Districts may submit proposals for implementing new services, enhancing existing preschool education services, or contracting for services. In designing a program, a district shall work with existing preschool programs to avoid duplication of programs and services, to avoid supplanting federal funds, and to maximize Head Start program funds in order to serve as many 4-year-old children as possible. School districts may develop cooperative arrangements with other school districts or organizations for the purposes of this Section.

(d) Each program proposal under this Section shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) A description of the process conducted by the school district to ensure that the parents or guardians of all eligible participants have been made aware of the program and of their right to participate.

(2) A description of the planned educational programming and related services.

(3) The estimated number of children participating in the program.

(4) Strategies for involving children with disabilities.

(5) The estimated ratio of staff to children, with the maximum being one adult for each 10 children.

(6) The estimated percentage of children participating in the program who are at risk of educational failure.

(7) Information on the training and qualifications of program staff and documentation that the staff meet required standards.

(8) A budget and per-child expenditure estimate.

(9) A plan to facilitate active parental involvement in the program, including provisions for complementary parent education, if appropriate.

(10) The facilities and equipment that are appropriate for young children.

(11) The days of the week and hours of a day during which the program shall operate.

(12) A plan for coordinating the program with existing medical and social services, including a child development and health screening component.

(13) Assurances that participants shall receive breakfast or lunch.

(14) A program site that meets State and local licensure requirements.

(15) A plan for coordinating program philosophy and activities with the district's elementary school program.

(16) An evaluation component.

(17) Certification from the Head Start program director that the Head Start program is fully utilized pursuant to subsection (c).

(e) Funds appropriated by the General Assembly for preschool education programs under this Section shall be granted to school districts according to a grant allotment system approved by the State Board of Education. Appropriations for the purposes of this Section shall be separate from all other funds appropriated to the State Board of Education and shall be administered in accordance with applicable federal and State statutes and rules. Eligible school districts shall receive funds based on the average number of preschool children being served on December 1 and March 1 of the prior school year who are appropriately identified as (i) 3 or 4 years of age with disabilities, in which case the child is eligible for a free and appropriate preschool education and related services, or (ii) 4 years of age and at risk of educational failure.

(f) Programs funded under this Section shall reflect an equitable geographic distribution representative of all areas of this State.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2020.