State Preschool Program

Overview

The principal prekindergarten program in Missouri is the Missouri Preschool Project (MPP), funded primarily through state gaming revenues and implemented through a grant program to public schools, Head Start programs and private childcare providers. All three- and four-year-olds are eligible for the program. However, priority funding is given to programs serving low-income and special needs children. There is another small program targeted at three- and four-year-old children from at-risk families. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), Missouri served 4% of its four-year-olds through its preschool programs in 2005-2006. State funding for the MPP for 2005-2006 was $14.7 million, a $1.8 million decrease from 2004-2005 funding.

A 2006 law required the state to develop comprehensive program standards for high-quality early childhood education by the end of June 2007, but their release is now anticipated for the Fall of 2007.

State Policy

The Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund, which supports the MPP through state gaming revenues, was “created to give parents meaningful choices and assistance in choosing the child-care and education arrangements that are appropriate for their family.”

Eligibility Criteria

Under the MPP, all children turning three or four by August 1 of the school year are eligible. However, priority funding is given to programs designed for special needs children or serving a high concentration of low-income families. Missouri also has a small supplemental program that serves three- and four-year-old children from at-risk families. At-risk children and families are defined as those exhibiting characteristics associated with a likelihood the child may drop out of school.  A non-exclusive list of such social, parental, academic, economic and health characteristics is included in the statute.

Program Length/Duration

Programs provided under the MPP through private childcare providers and Head Start programs must provide six and a half hours of educational instruction a day, five days a week. Public school MPP providers must offer at least three hours of instruction a day, five days a week, up to six and a half hours a day. Programs receiving funding under the At-Risk provisions can only receive state aid for half-day programs.

Funding

Funding for the state preschool program is provided from gaming revenues and general appropriations through the creation of an Early Childhood Development Education and Care Fund. (These are sometimes known as HB 1519 funds.) These monies are then allocated to the Department of Social Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Eighty percent of the monies in the Fund, as well as additional funds appropriated by the legislature, are allocated to the DESE to provide grants through the MPP.  Additional funding for the MPP comes from parental fees (which programs must charge on a sliding scale basis to families whose income exceeds 185% of the federal poverty level), as well as local sources.

The program for at-risk families is funded through state aid to school districts. However, districts are specifically precluded from using regular K-12 state school aid for any prekindergarten programming.

Quality Standards

In the National Institute for Early Education Research’s (NIEER) national survey of state preschool programs, the MPP received a 6 out of 10 of NIEER’s recommended quality benchmarks.

The program meets NIEER’s standards for staff-child ratio and class size by requiring one teacher for every ten children and a maximum class size of 20.   Under MPP Guidelines, Missouri meets NIEER’s teacher degree standards by requiring lead teachers to have a BA and specialized training in early childhood and assistant teachers to hold a high school diploma and a vocational certificate in early childhood, regardless of program setting. The MPP also meets NIEER’s standard for professional development by requiring teachers and assistant teachers to participate in activities, including those related to the pre-k program’s selected curriculum model. The MPP Guidelines specifically require comparable salary between MPP teachers and other early childhood teachers in the public schools (e.g., special education and Title 1), and public school and other public and private MPP teachers.

The program requires no vision, hearing, and health screening and referral, and no support services, thus failing to meet NIEER’s benchmark for those areas. Meals are not required in half-day programs, also falling short of NIEER’s requirement of at least one meal a day in all prekindergarten programs. NIEER’s monitoring benchmark calls for site visits, which are not required in Missouri.

Public school districts and other providers participating in the MPP must choose one of three state-approved curriculums. The state has also adopted comprehensive prekindergarten curriculum standards in five broad content areas: Literacy; Social and Emotional Development; Math; Science; and Physical Development, Health and Safety. All providers receiving grants under the MPP must be accredited by MoA—the Missouri accrediting body—or NAEYC within three years, and show annual progress during that time period. Lastly, MPP providers’ facilities must be licensed by the department of health.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was required to develop comprehensive standards for high-quality early childhood education by June 2007, relating to access, curriculum, assessment, teacher certification and development, services, and technical support, but the standards are now expected to be released in the Fall of 2007.

Delivery of Preschool Services

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers the MPP through a competitive grant process.  Public school districts, Head Start agencies and licensed preschool and childcare providers are eligible to apply for grants. In accordance with a state constitutional provision prohibiting state aid to sectarian schools, religiously affiliated preschools are excluded from MPP funding.

A recipient of MPP funding is required to form a community advisory committee to assist in planning the pre-k program and completing a community needs assessment. The needs assessment must provide information on the quantity and quality of preschool programs, the number of age eligible children, and the number of such children not attending a pre-k program or attending a program that is not licensed or accredited.

Requirements for Student Assessment and Program Evaluation

The MPP provides for annual student assessments as well as formal program evaluation and auditing. A four-year study of the MPP and all early childhood education initiatives was mandated as part of the establishment of the Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund.

Legal Framework

Education Clause in State Constitution

The education clause of Missouri’s constitution contains the finding that “[a] general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence [are] essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people,” and provides for the establishment and maintenance of free public schools by the legislature.

Summary of Case Law on School Finance System

A state trial court has held that education is not a fundamental right in Missouri.

In 1993, a state court in Missouri found the state’s school funding system unconstitutional because it failed to provide children living in low-wealth districts educational opportunities on par with those available to their counterparts in affluent districts.

In response, the General Assembly passed legislation increasing school funding, improving funding equity, and instituting education reforms such as standards and assessments. In 2004, plaintiffs in Committee for Educational Equality v. State filed a new petition claiming that the school funding system was still underfunded and therefore violated students’ constitutional rights. The legislature subsequently passed a new school funding law in June 2005, but plaintiffs contended the new funding law was also inadequate and inequitable. After the case was tried in 2007, the trial court rejected the plaintiffs' adequacy, equal protection, and due process claims. The court, however, requested additional briefs and arguments on whether the state was meeting its constitutional mandate to spend at least 25% of state revenues to support public schools. A hearing on the issue was scheduled for September 20, 2007.

Summary of Case Law on Preschool

Neither the original school finance case nor the pending case has raised preschool issues.

Constitutional Provisions on Public Education

Mo. Const. Art. 9, § 1(a)

A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the general assembly shall establish and maintain free public schools for the gratuitous instruction of all persons in this state within ages not in excess of twenty-one years as prescribed by law.

Mo. Const. Art. 9, § 3

(a)       All appropriations by the state for the support of free public schools and the income from the public school fund shall be paid at least annually and distributed according to law.

(b)       In event the public school fund provided and set apart by law for the support of free public schools, shall be insufficient to sustain free schools at least eight months in every year in each school district of the state, the general assembly may provide for such deficiency; but in no case shall there be set apart less than twenty-five percent of the state revenue, exclusive of interest and sinking fund, to be applied annually to the support of the free public schools. …

 Mo. Const. Art. 9, § 8

Neither the general assembly, nor any county, city, town, township, school district or other municipal corporation, shall ever make an appropriation or pay from any public fund whatever, anything in aid of any religious creed, church or sectarian purpose, or to help to support or sustain any private or public school, academy, seminary, college, university, or other institution of learning controlled by any religious creed, church or sectarian denomination whatever; nor shall any grant or donation of personal property or real estate ever be made by the state, or any county, city, town, or other municipal corporation, for any religious creed, church, or sectarian purpose whatever.

Case Law on the Right to Public Education and Preschool

Is Education a Fundamental Right under the State Constitution?

Committee for Educational Equality v. State, Mo. Cir. Ct. Cole County, No. 04CV 323022 (Aug. 29, 2007)

For purposes of equal protection analysis, the trial court had to determine whether education was a fundamental right under the Missouri Constitution. In analyzing the constitutional history, the court found that its framers did not intend to create “a guarantee of absolute of equity, equality or adequacy in dollars spent or facilities from district to district.” In the absence of such educational guarantees, education was not a fundamental right, and the school funding scheme only had to survive rational basis review. The trial court found that the legislature had made “a reasonable attempt to meet its obligations” under the state constitution.

School Finance Cases in Favor of Plaintiffs:

Committee for Educational Equality v. State, Mo. Cir. Ct. Cole County, No. CV190-1371CC, order dated Jan. 1993.

The court ruled that the state’s school funding system was unconstitutional in that it failed to provide educational opportunity to children living in low-wealth districts equal to that provided to their counterparts in affluent districts.

In response to the circuit court decision, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993, which increased school funding by raising taxes, improved funding equity, and instituted education reforms such as standards and assessments.

Standard for a Constitutionally Adequate Education:

None.

School Finance Cases against Plaintiffs:

None.

Decisions Ruling School Finance Issues Were Non-Justiciable:

None.

Cases Related to State-Funded Preschool:

None.

Pending School Finance Cases:

Committee for Educational Equality v. State, Mo. Cir. Ct. Cole County, No. 04CV 323022 (Aug. 29, 2007)

Plaintiffs filed suit in January 2004, claiming that the state’s education finance system, and its “underfunding” of that system, violate students’ state constitutional rights to adequate education and equal educational opportunity.

The state asserted that it had met the alleged requirement of the Missouri constitution to spend at least 25 percent of state funds on schools. In June 2005, the Missouri Legislature passed a new school funding law, which took effect in June 2006. Plaintiffs contended the new law was also unconstitutional, and the case proceeded to trial in January 2007.

The court determined that the state constitution does not guarantee adequate educational funding, but merely allows the legislature to provide funds beyond the mandated 25 percent of funds at its discretion. The court further held, under equal protection analysis, that there was no constitutional guarantee of funding adequacy, equality, or equity, and that the legislative scheme was reasonable under the constitution.

The court did not have enough evidence to determine whether the state had actually devoted 25% of state revenue to public education, and requested additional briefs and arguments on what state revenues and spending should be included and excluded in calculating the 25%. A hearing on the issue was scheduled for September 20, 2007.

Statutes, Regulations and Guidance Documents on State Preschool Program

Missouri Revised Statutes (Mo. Rev. Stat.) § 161.213, [Standards for High-Quality Early Childhood Education]

Missouri Revised Statutes (Mo. Rev. Stat.) § 167.260, Program for …children from at-risk families

Missouri Revised Statutes (Mo. Rev. Stat.) § 167.273, Program … at-risk families, characteristics

Missouri Revised Statutes (Mo. Rev. Stat.) § 210.199, [Missouri Preschool Project] grants or contracts, licensing of applicants

Missouri Revised Statutes (Mo. Rev. Stat.) § 313.835, Gaming Commission Fund

5 Missouri Code of State Regulations (CSR) § 50-340.020, Instruction for Prekindergarten

The state’s main prekindergarten program, the Missouri Preschool Project, is governed almost exclusively by the Missouri Preschool Project Invitation for Bid (IFB) and Program Guidelines (cited herein as “MPP Guidelines”). These guidelines are subject to change each fiscal year.

Missouri Early Childhood Standards

Provisions Expressing State Policy on Preschool:

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 313.835 [Gaming Commission Fund].

 …(3)(d)The [Early Childhood Development Education and Care Fund] shall be used to support programs that prepare children prior to the age in which they are eligible to enroll in kindergarten … to enter school ready to learn.

Eligibility Criteria for State Preschool Program:

MPP Guidelines

1.4.2 … Age eligible children are defined for the purposes of the IFB [Invitation for Bid] as children who are one or two years from kindergarten eligibility. To be eligible for kindergarten a child must be five years old before August 1 of the program year.

2.1.5 The contractor must provide preschool services to age eligible children. Only age eligible children can be served in the MPP classroom.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 313.835(3)(e) Gaming Commission Fund

…c. In awarding grants and contracts [including for Missouri Preschool Project], the departments may give preference to programs which:

…(iii) Are programs designed for special needs children;…

(v) Are programs that serve a high concentration of low-income families…

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.260(1) [Program for children from at-risk families]

 … At a minimum [each] child [eligible for a program for … children from at-risk families] shall reach the age of three before the first day of October prior to the start of the school year.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.273 [Program for children from at-risk families]. … The term "at-risk" is used to describe those families who exhibit the characteristics which may produce children likely to drop out of school, which characteristics may include, but need not be limited to, single parent households, chemical dependencies, unemployment, low educational attainment of the parent or parents, numerous family relocations, referral to mental health or social service agencies, and involvement with the corrections system of this state; and to describe those children who exhibit the characteristics of potential school dropouts, which characteristics may include, but need not be limited to, high absentee rate, high truancy rate, low academic achievement, referrals to mental health or social services agencies, recurring discipline problems, and involvement with the juvenile justice system of this state.

Program Length/Duration:

MPP Guidelines

2.1.4 The preschool program must provide 6.5 hours of educational activities appropriate to the developmental level of the child each day for five days a week, 12 months a year. The hours designated as preschool hours must occur between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In addition to the educational hours, a minimum of 30 minutes a day should be scheduled for the lead teacher and the teacher assistant for the purpose of planning, parent teacher conferences, etc.

Governmental entities or public school districts only can provide a half day option, a minimum of three (3) hours, to better serve those children participating in other district programs such as Title 1 and/or Early Childhood Special Education. Governmental entities or public school districts can provide preschool services for no less than the school year. Priority will be given to programs providing services 6.5 hours a day, 5 days a week, 12 months a year.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.260(1) [Program for children from at-risk families]. State aid shall be provided for no more than a half-day program within the district's school calendar.

Scope of State’s Responsibility to Provide Preschool:

MPP Guidelines

1.4.1 The Early Childhood Development Education and Care Fund, pursuant to section 313.835, was created to give parents meaningful choices and assistance in choosing the child care and education arrangements that are appropriate for their family. “The fund shall be used to support programs that prepare children prior to the age in which they are eligible to enroll in kindergarten, pursuant to [Mo. Rev. Stat. §] 160.053, to enter school ready to learn. All moneys deposited in the early childhood development, education, and care fund shall be annually appropriated for voluntary, early childhood development, education and care programs……” The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has designated their portion of the fund to promote high quality early care and education programs for children one or two years from kindergarten eligibility. MPP funds will be provided to programs through a competitive Invitation for Bid (IFB) process.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.260(1) [Program for children from at-risk families]. Any local school district offering to all pupils who are eligible by age … a full day of kindergarten within the school calendar … shall be eligible for state aid for a program for developmentally delayed children ages three and four as defined in [Mo. Rev. Stat. § ] 178.691 and for children from at-risk families as defined in [Mo. Rev. Stat. §] 167.273. … Such program shall emphasize social skills, physical development and preparation for kindergarten.

5 Mo. Regs. § 50-340.020(1) [Instruction for Prekindergarten].  A public school district may provide for the gratuitous education of pupils in prekindergarten. The gratuitous education [of pupils in prekindergarten] … shall be provided only out of revenues which are not derived from state aid for the kindergarten through twelve (K-12) program and only with revenues which are not required for establishing and maintaining free public schools for the gratuitous instruction of persons between the ages of five and twenty (5-20) years.

Scope of State's Responsibility to Fund Preschool:

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 313.835(3)(d) [Gaming Commission Fund].

… Any moneys deposited in [the "Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund" established by the Gaming Commission] shall be used to support programs that prepare children prior to the age in which they are eligible to enroll in kindergarten… to enter school ready to learn. All moneys deposited in the early childhood development, education and care fund shall be annually appropriated for voluntary, early childhood development, education and care programs serving children in every region of the state not yet enrolled in kindergarten…

 MPP Guidelines

1.4.1 … The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has designated their portion of [The Early Childhood Development Education and Care Fund] to promote high quality early care and education programs for children one or two years from kindergarten eligibility. MPP funds will be provided to programs through a competitive Invitation for Bid (IFB) process.

2.1.11 If parent fees are being charged, the program must implement a sliding scale fee to ensure all families, regardless of income, have an opportunity to participate.

2.2.8(b) Funding Plan - The plan must demonstrate funding from a variety of sources including parental fees. A sliding scale fee schedule based on family income is required for families whose income does not exceed one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level. A copy of this sliding scale fee schedule must be submitted. The plan should also include other funding sources such as food services, local grants, local fundraising efforts, etc.

2.3 Funding

During the first year, funds may be requested for costs associated with expenses necessary to implement a quality preschool program.

These may include the following:

• Initial staff training on the selected curriculum;
• Minor remodeling associated with licensing requirements;
• Appropriate Equipment; and
• Necessary Furniture

Private Agency Funding Chart

Governmental Entity or Public School District Funding Chart

2.6.2 Award Process - Consideration for these awards include a community maximum of $ 260,000. The community is defined as the school district boundaries in which your program is located.

Note: Community maximums are only considered in the first year of award.

6.3 The contractor shall agree and understand that DESE will make payments based on DESE’s allotment of HB 1519 funds… The contractor shall agree and understand that any amount funded per the contract is subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor… Therefore, DESE does not guarantee that any amount of funds will be spent in accordance with the contract.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 161.213(4)

Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, public school districts shall not be prohibited from charging tuition and related charges for early childhood education programs.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.260(2) [Program for children from at-risk families].
The state board of education shall approve … programs [for children from at-risk families] and distribute state aid.

5 Mo. Regs. § 50-340.020(1) [Instruction for Prekindergarten].
The gratuitous education [of pupils in prekindergarten] … shall be provided only out of revenues which are not derived from state aid for the kindergarten through twelve (K-12) program and only with revenues which are not required for establishing and maintaining free public schools for the gratuitous instruction of persons between the ages of five and twenty (5-20) years.

Source of Funding for Preschool Program:

MPP Guidelines

2.2.8(b) Funding Plan - The plan must demonstrate funding from a variety of sources including parental fees. A sliding scale fee schedule based on family income is required for families whose income does not exceed one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level. A copy of this sliding scale fee schedule must be submitted. The plan should also include other funding sources such as food services, local grants, local fundraising efforts, etc.

6.3 The contractor shall agree and understand that DESE will make payments based on DESE’s allotment of HB 1519 funds.
…
The contractor shall agree and understand that any amount funded per the contract is subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. In addition, the total budget amount described herein is also subject to reduction by the state agency when deemed in the best interest of DESE. Therefore, DESE does not guarantee that any amount of funds will be spent in accordance with the contract.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 313.835 [Gaming Commission Fund].

1. All revenue received by the [Gaming Commission] from license fees, penalties, administrative fees, reimbursement by any excursion gambling boat operators for services provided by the commission and admission fees authorized pursuant to the provisions of sections 313.800 to 313.850, … shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the "Gaming Commission Fund" which is hereby created for the sole purpose of funding the administrative costs of the commission, subject to appropriation. … In each fiscal year, total revenues to the gaming commission fund for the preceding fiscal year shall be compared to total expenditures and transfers from the gaming commission fund for the preceding fiscal year. The remaining net proceeds in the gaming commission fund shall be distributed in the following manner:

 … (3) The remaining net proceeds in the gaming commission fund for fiscal year 1999 and each fiscal year thereafter shall be distributed as follows:

 … (d) Subject to appropriations, one hundred percent of remaining net proceeds in the gaming commission fund except as provided in paragraph (l) of this subdivision, and after the appropriations made pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) [relating to disbursement of the Gaming Commission Fund to various state programs, including programs for the homeless, programs to deter gang-related violence, several veteran’s programs, support for the state national guard, and a deposit in the Missouri college guarantee fund] of this subdivision, shall be transferred to the "Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund" which is hereby created to give parents meaningful choices and assistance in choosing the child-care and education arrangements that are appropriate for their family. …Any moneys deposited in [the "Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund" established by the Gaming Commission] shall be used to support programs that prepare children prior to the age in which they are eligible to enroll in kindergarten… to enter school ready to learn. All moneys deposited in the early childhood development, education and care fund shall be annually appropriated for voluntary, early childhood development, education and care programs serving children in every region of the state not yet enrolled in kindergarten;

 (e) No less than sixty percent of moneys deposited in the early childhood development, education and care fund shall be appropriated as provided in this paragraph to the department of elementary and secondary education and to the department of social services to provide early childhood development, education and care programs through competitive grants to, or contracts with, governmental or private agencies. Eighty percent of such moneys pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and additional moneys as appropriated by the general assembly shall be appropriated to the department of elementary and secondary education and twenty percent of such moneys pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be appropriated to the department of social services…

 (f) No less than ten percent of moneys deposited in the early childhood development, education and care fund shall be appropriated to the department of social services to provide early childhood development, education and care programs through child development, education and care certificates to families whose income does not exceed one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level …

 (g) No less than ten percent of moneys deposited in the early childhood development, education and care fund shall be appropriated to the department of social services to increase reimbursements to child-care facilities for low- income children that are accredited by a recognized, early childhood accrediting organization;

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.260(2) [Program for children from at-risk families]

The state board of education shall approve … programs [for children from at-risk families] and distribute state aid.

5 Mo. Regs. § 50-340.020(1) [Instruction for Prekindergarten].

The gratuitous education [of pupils in prekindergarten] … shall be provided only out of revenues which are not derived from state aid for the kindergarten through twelve (K-12) program and only with revenues which are not required for establishing and maintaining free public schools for the gratuitous instruction of persons between the ages of five and twenty (5-20) years.

Scope of Child's Right to Attend Preschool:

None.

Curriculum Content Standards for Preschool Program:

MPP Guidelines

2.1.10 The program must adopt one of the three approved research-based curriculums (High Scope, Project Construct, or Creative Curriculum). Lead teachers and teacher assistants in the MPP classroom must be trained in and (sic) implementing this curriculum in the classroom.

2.2.6   Curriculum Models - Preschool programs must implement a nationally recognized preschool curriculum model that is approved by DESE. The lead teacher and teacher assistant involved in the Missouri Preschool Project must be trained in the curriculum model. It is highly recommended that the Director/Program Administrator be trained in the chosen curriculum model. All curriculum trainings must be provided by the curriculum source.

Programs must contact the source directly … to schedule trainings. Any training not scheduled through the source will not be funded and will not meet the requirement of 2.1.10. The selected preschool curriculum models meet the following criteria:

• based on valid research,
• have positive evaluation results,
• provide ongoing professional development, and
• developmentally appropriate for children ages three to five.

The current approved curriculum models are:

• Project Construct
• High/Scope
• Creative Curriculum

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 161.213

1. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop standards for high-quality early childhood education no later than June 30, 2007. The standards shall be applicable to all public school prekindergarten programs that receive Title I or Missouri preschool project funds.

2. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, the following principles:

(1) Access for all children whose parents or guardians choose to participate;

(2) Focus on cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional development;

(3) Assessment of needs of children and their families;

(4) Highly qualified and properly certified teachers; and

(5) Delivery of comprehensive services supported by strong and accessible technical assistance and professional development.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.260(1) [Program for children from at-risk families]. Such program shall emphasize social skills, physical development and preparation for kindergarten.

Note: In addition to the content standards inherent in the selected preschool curriculum models, Missouri has Early Childhood Standards for Literacy, Social and Emotional Development, Math, Science, and Physical Development, Health and Safety.

 Missouri Pre-K Literacy Standards

Samples:

Standard: Applies early reading skills.
Indicator: Identifies some alphabet letters.
Examples: The child

• identifies some letters in his/her name.
• may identify letters in other personally significant words (e.g. “c” for cookie,” “d” for dog, “m” for mom).

Standard: Attends to sounds in language.
Indicator: Participates in word games.
Examples: The child

• claps along with syllables of words (e.g. claps name and rhythms). 

Teacher Certification/Qualification Standards for Preschool Program:

 MPP Guidelines

2.2.5 Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant Qualifications - All preschool programs funded by the Missouri Preschool Project must utilize teachers and teacher assistants who have one of the following minimum qualifications at the time the program begins operation. Individuals who are working towards these qualifications do not meet the requirements and will not be funded with MPP funds. These qualifications must be maintained through the contract period.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS 

…Teacher assistants holding less than teacher certification may submit application to T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MISSOURI for college coursework in the field of early childhood.

2.1.14 Lead Teacher and teacher assistants must participate in all professional development activities as required by DESE….

2.2.8(d) Professional Development Plan – Professional development opportunities include college-credit coursed through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Missouri, follow-up/advanced training of the selected curriculum model provided only by the approved curriculum source, professional conferences, seminars, consultants, and DESE required meetings. … Evidence of continuous professional development associated with the selected curriculum model must be included each year in the plan.

 2.4.1 Salaries and Benefits - … Salaries and benefits must be commensurate with other professionals in similar positions. Certified teachers in a public school setting must receive a teaching contract and be placed on the salary schedule similar to Title 1 preschool teachers or early childhood special education teachers.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 161.213(2)

[The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s standards for high-quality early childhood education] shall include, but not be limited to, the following principles:

… (4) Highly qualified and properly certified teachers; and

(5) Delivery of comprehensive services supported by strong and accessible technical assistance and professional development.

Other Quality Standards for Preschool Program:

MPP Guidelines

2.1.6 (and 2.1.7)  New (and Expansion) programs must have no more than 20 children in a classroom.

2.1.9 …Classrooms with 10 children must have a lead teacher, a teacher assistant is required if more than 10 children are enrolled.

2.2.6 Curriculum Models … The lead teacher and teacher assistant involved in the Missouri Preschool Project must be trained in the curriculum model.

2.2.7   Accreditation - Programs are required to work toward accreditation from either the Missouri Accreditation Center (MoA) or the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This is a three-year process and programs must show annual progress. The goal of the process is to insure quality childcare programs using standards and procedures outlined by the accreditation organization. …

2.2.8(e) Parent Education/Involvement/Communication - The plan must address how parents will be informed about their child’s development, opportunities to be involved in the preschool program and how the preschool program will communicate with parents on an ongoing basis. …

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.199. Any applicant for a grant or contract who offers early childhood development, education or care programs and who receives funds [under the Missouri Preschool Project] shall be licensed by the department of health and senior services pursuant to sections 210.201 to 210.259 prior to opening of the facility. …

Delivery of Preschool Services:

MPP Guidelines

 2.1.1 Bids may be submitted by a governmental entity, public school district or private agency. According to the state constitution, Article 9, Section 8, religious entities are not eligible to apply to DESE for funds.

2.1.17 The contractor must indicate a desire for expanding or improving preschool education through a collaborative system, which requires a community advisory committee and a community needs assessment.

2.1.18 The Missouri Preschool Project funds can not be used to supplant or replace any existing preschool program or staff.

2.2.3 Community Involvement - A community advisory committee must assist in planning the Preschool Project for age eligible children and completing the Community Needs Assessment.

2.2.4 Community-Based Planning - Strong community commitment, leadership, and planning are critical to the success of the programs and services offered under the Missouri Preschool Project.

Step I – Administration

The contractor appoints an administrator who has both leadership ability and a strong commitment to early childhood education, especially preschool education. This administrator must be able to:

• manage, inspire and motivate those individuals within the program and community important to the programs’ success;
• be knowledgeable and respectful of preschool opportunities within the community;
• set goals and coordinate implementation timetables;
• analyze the results of the programs;
• exercise sufficient authority within a collaborative framework to accomplish the desired results; and
• be knowledgeable about business practices necessary to successfully sustain the program.

The administrator should report directly to the Community Advisory Committee and should be prepared to manage a program organizational structure consisting of several different types of operation.

Step II – Community Advisory Committee

The Community Advisory Committee, whose membership of citizens representing a variety of community organizations, is established. The support and services of this group is essential for the successful planning of the programs. Members of the committee are to include:

• Community Preschool/Child Care Providers
• Preschool Parents
• Head Start
• Social Services
• Local Board of Education

…

Primary responsibilities of the Community Advisory Committee are to:

• assist in gathering information needed to complete the Community Needs Assessment;
• make recommendations on the goals and objectives of the MPP;
• assist on options for coordinating programs and services between community, school, and other preschool programs;
• assist in the IFB process;
• serve as a resource; and,
• other responsibilities as determined.

Step III - Community Needs Assessment

The Community Needs Assessment must provide information on the quantity and quality of preschool programs available for age eligible children. The following information should be collected in the needs assessment:

• population of age eligible children …;
• number of existing programs for age eligible children, including child care centers;
• quality of programs for age eligible children as defined by state licensing, accreditation, and staff qualifications;
• number of age eligible children not attending a program; and,
• number of age eligible children attending a program that is not licensed or accredited.

The Community Needs Assessment should provide information on what kinds of preschool services are needed for age eligible children. These results should be used in determining how the Missouri Preschool Project program will be designed to best meet the needs of the preschool children in the community. If additional information is needed, other needs assessments may be used, such as parent surveys.

Requirements for Student Assessment and Program Evaluation:

MPP Guidelines

2.5.1 Accountability - Programmatic accountability must be demonstrated on an annual basis. For consistency, DESE will provide observational assessment materials and training instruments to be completed for each child in the MPP program. Teachers will rate each child’s level of knowledge and abilities through systematic observations in order to assess the child’s development. Attendance at the training session is required prior to administering the assessment. Programs receiving MPP funds must complete this assessment and return the information as requested by DESE.

2.5.3 Audits - The contractor agrees to permit DESE or its authorized representatives to observe and evaluate the delivery or performance of the contracted services. This includes access to any books, documents, papers and records of the contractor that are directly related to the MPP audit process.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 161.213(2)

[The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s standards for high-quality early childhood education] shall include, but not be limited to, the following principles:

… (3) Assessment of needs of children and their families …

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 313.835(3)(e) [Gaming Commission Fund].

…d. Beginning on August 28, 1998, the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of social services shall initiate and conduct a four-year study to evaluate the impact of early childhood development, education and care in this state. The study shall consist of an evaluation of children eligible for moneys pursuant to this paragraph, including an evaluation of the early childhood development, education and care of those children participating in such program and those not participating in the program over a four-year period. At the conclusion of the study, the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of social services shall, within ninety days of conclusion of the study, submit a report to the general assembly and the governor, with an analysis of the study required pursuant to this subparagraph, all data collected, findings, and other information relevant to early childhood development, education and care. …

Note: This four year study was released in July 2003 as the Missouri Preschool Project: Program Evaluation Report. Other information, including the results of a comparative assessment of children participating in MPP and those not participating, is available  in HB 1519 Early Childhood Project Final Evaluation Report.