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1 New Section; Department of Education; Division of Early Learning; Pre-K Pilot Program. Amend RSA 21-N by inserting after section 12 the following new section:
21-N:13 Division of Early Learning; Pre-K Pilot Program. There is hereby established within the department the division of early learning, under the supervision of an unclassified director of early learning, whose responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following functions, in accordance with applicable laws:
I. Effectively and efficiently coordinate efforts and programs to serve pre-kindergarten children throughout the state, including establishing and delineating any working relationships with the department of health and human services under RSA 170-E related to early care and education personnel.
II. Development of a cohesive and comprehensive system of high quality early learning and care which shall be in addition to any duty of the department to provide education to children in kindergarten and later grades.
III. Design, create, and administer a 3-year high quality, community-based, mixed delivery public pre-kindergarten pilot program.
(a) For the purposes of this pilot program, a mixed delivery model means that many different types of high quality early education providers may participate in the pilot program, including public and non-public schools, and community based programs such as Head Start, faith based programs, licensed child care providers, including home and center-based providers.
(b) The pilot program should meet the 10 baseline "Recommendations for High-Quality Pre-Kindergarten" (NIEER, 2019) and either hold a minimum quality designation of step 3 in the department of health and human services Granite Steps for Quality, Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS); or be a department of education approved preschool program.
(c) The director shall submit a report annually on January 1 to the governor and general court that reports on progress made in the pre-kindergarten pilot program.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.
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1 New Section; Department of Education; Division of Early Learning; Pre-K Pilot Program. Amend RSA 21-N by inserting after section 12 the following new section:
21-N:13 Division of Early Learning; Pre-K Pilot Program. There is hereby established within the department the division of early learning, under the supervision of an unclassified director of early learning, whose responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following functions, in accordance with applicable laws:
I. Effectively and efficiently coordinate efforts and programs to serve pre-kindergarten children throughout the state, including establishing and delineating any working relationships with the department of health and human services under RSA 170-E related to early care and education personnel.
II. Development of a cohesive and comprehensive system of high quality early learning and care which shall be in addition to any duty of the department to provide education to children in kindergarten and later grades.
III. Design, create, and administer a 3-year high quality, community-based, mixed delivery public pre-kindergarten pilot program.
(a) For the purposes of this pilot program, a mixed delivery model means that many different types of high quality early education providers may participate in the pilot program, including public and non-public schools, and community based programs such as Head Start, faith based programs, licensed child care providers, including home and center-based providers.
(b) The pilot program should meet the 10 baseline "Recommendations for High-Quality Pre-Kindergarten" (NIEER, 2019) and either hold a minimum quality designation of step 3 in the department of health and human services Granite Steps for Quality, Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS); or be a department of education approved preschool program.
(c) The director shall submit a report annually on January 1 to the governor and general court that reports on progress made in the pre-kindergarten pilot program.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.