State Preschool Program

Overview

The Virginia Preschool Initiative serves four-year-olds who are considered at-risk based on locally developed criteria. Funding is provided to local school districts to serve children who are not served by Head Start. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), Virginia served 11% of its four-year-olds in its preschool program in 2005-2006. In 2004, funding was increased with the goal of providing preschool for 90% of eligible children by the 2004-2005 school year and 100% of eligible children within the following two years. School districts may provide full or half day programs and may contract with private providers.

State Policy

The legislation implementing the program notes findings by the General Assembly that quality preschool programs ensure academic and future success and reduce violent and criminal activity. In 2006, Gov. Kaine established the Start Strong Council to study the expansion of early childhood programs because such programs are “critical to a child’s success.”

Eligibility Criteria

All four-year-olds who are designated to be at-risk and who are not served by Head Start are eligible for the program. Each district has the discretion to set the criteria for at-risk, but the program guidelines provide the following sample list of risk factors:

1. The child lives in poverty.
2. The child is homeless.
3. The child’s parents or guardians are school dropouts, have limited education, or are chronically ill.
4. The child’s family is under stress as evidenced by poverty, episodes of violence, crime, underemployment, unemployment, homelessness, incarceration, family instability.
5. The child has health or developmental problems including, but not limited to, developmental delay, low birth weight, substance abuse.
6. The child is an English language learner.

Program Length/Duration

Districts may choose whether to provide full-day or half-day programs. The program must be offered at least during the school-year calendar.

Funding

Grants are distributed to school districts based on a per child formula at the rate of $5,700. Prior to 2004-2005, the state paid for up to 60 percent of eligible children. Legislation has now extended state payments to cover 100 percent of eligible children. Localities that choose to have half-day programs receive funds on a prorated basis. There is also a local match based on a composite index of local ability-to-pay. Localities are encouraged to utilize other funding sources, including childcare subsidies.

Quality Standards

In a national survey of quality standards, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) gave Virginia's preschool program a rating of seven out of ten. Virginia has established early education standards, the Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, that do not meet NIEER's benchmark for comprehensive early learning standards. Virginia also fails to meet NIEER’s standards for teacher qualifications. Prekindergarten teachers in public schools must have a bachelor’s degree, but teachers employed by private providers are only required to have a CDA and six months experience. Aides in any setting are not required to have a CDA as recommended by NIEER. NIEER’s benchmark for specialized training is met, since all teachers must have a CDA or Pre-K certification. Virginia does meet NIEER’s benchmarks for staffing patterns, by requiring a staff-child ratio of 1:9 with no more than 18 children in the class, regardless of whether it is a private or public program. The implementation statute for the program also requires the provision of comprehensive health and support services. Virginia meets NIEER’s monitoring benchmark and meal requirements.

Delivery of Preschool Services

Schools and community organizations are required to coordinate resources and adopt a collaborative approach to providing preschool services. They may also serve children by purchasing slots in existing childcare settings. The preschool statute clearly provides that program quality standards may be differentiated according to agency or provider. However, some basic standards are applied across all settings.

In 2006, Governor Kaine established the Start Strong Council to develop and implement goals, best practices, and guidelines for four-year-old preschool programs.

Requirements for Student Assessment and Program Evaluation

Under the new legislation passed in June 2004, school district superintendents must certify that local preschool programs are following the requisite state learning standards.

Education Clause in State Constitution

The Virginia constitution states the "General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age." It also requires the General Assembly to "seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained."

Summary of Case Law on School Finance System

In Scott v. Commonwealth, the state supreme court found that education is a fundamental right. However, the court further held that the state constitution did not require equality in funding or programs.

Summary of Case Law on Preschool

Cases have not addressed preschool issues.

Constitutional Provisions on Public Education

Va. Const. Art. I, § 15

. . . That free government rests, as does all progress, upon the broadest possible diffusion of knowledge, and that the Commonwealth should avail itself of those talents which nature has sown so liberally among its people by assuring the opportunity for their fullest development by an effective system of education throughout the Commonwealth.

Va. Const. Art. VIII, § 1

The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained.

Va. Const. Art. VIII, § 2

Standards of quality for the several school divisions shall be determined and prescribed from time to time by the Board of Education, subject to revision only by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly shall determine the manner in which funds are to be provided for the cost of maintaining an educational program meeting the prescribed standards of quality, and shall provide for the apportionment of the cost of such program between the Commonwealth and the local units of government comprising such school divisions. Each unit of local government shall provide its portion of such cost by local taxes or from other available funds.

Va. Const. Art. VIII, § 3

The General Assembly shall provide for the compulsory elementary and secondary education of every eligible child of appropriate age, such eligibility and age to be determined by law. It shall ensure that textbooks are provided at no cost to each child attending public school whose parent or guardian is financially unable to furnish them.

Case Law on the Right to Public Education and Preschool

Is Education a Fundamental Right under the State Constitution?

The Virginia Supreme Court in Scott v. Commonwealth stated: "[W]e agree with the trial court that education is a fundamental right under the Constitution. Even applying a strict scrutiny test, . . . however, we hold that nowhere does the Constitution require equal, or substantially equal, funding or programs among and within the Commonwealth's school divisions." 247 Va. 379, 386, 443 S.E.2d 138, 142 (1994).

School Finance Cases in Favor of Plaintiffs:

None.

Standard for a Constitutionally Adequate Education:

None.

School Finance Cases against Plaintiffs:

Scott v. Commonwealth, 247 Va. 379, 443 S.E.2d 138 (1994)

The Virginia Supreme Court rejected plaintiffs’ challenge to the system of school finance, ruling that the education provisions of the Commonwealth constitution do not require equal, or substantially equal, funding or programs among or within the Commonwealth's school divisions.

Decisions Ruling School Finance Issues Were Non-Justiciable:

None.

Cases Related to State-Funded Preschool:

None.

Pending School Finance Cases:

None.

Statutes, Regulations and Guidance Documents on State Preschool Program

Code of Virginia (Va. Code) § 22.1-19, Accreditation of elementary, middle, and high schools; nursery schools; recognition of certain organizations; child day center regulation

Code of Virginia (Va. Code) § 22.1-199.1, Programs designed to promote educational opportunities

Code of Virginia (Va. Code) § 22.1-295, Employment of Teachers

H.5002 Appropriations Act for the 2006-2008 Biennium, enacted July 17, 2006, Item 135.15

8 Virginia Administrative Code (Va. Admin. Code) § 20-21-40, Conditions for Licensure

8 Virginia Administrative Code (Va. Admin. Code) § 20-590-10 et seq., Minimum Standards for the Accreditation of Child Day Programs Serving Children of Preschool Age or Younger in Public Schools

22 Virginia Administrative Code (Va. Admin. Code) § 15-30-10 et seq., Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers

Guidelines for the Virginia Preschool Initiative Application.

See also Virginia Department of Education, Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning: Comprehensive Standards for Four-Year-Olds (2007) cited below as "Foundation Blocks for Early Learning,"

Provisions Expressing State Policy on Preschool:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). The General Assembly finds that effective prevention programs designed to assist children at risk of school failure and dropout are practical mechanisms for reducing violent and criminal activity and for ensuring that Virginia's children will reach adulthood with the skills necessary to succeed in the twenty-first century; to this end, the following [grant program to provide quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year-olds who are unserved by Head Start programs and for at-risk five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten] is hereby established.

Executive Order 7 (2006): Establishing the Start Strong Council

Early childhood education is critical to a child’s success later in life. Early childhood education builds the foundation of a child’s academic and economic success. Ninety percent of a child’s brain growth is complete by age five. At present, too many children are unprepared by the time that they reach school. High quality preschool is vital to a child's success later in school and in life. There is a compelling educational and business case for high quality early education. It is critical that all of Virginia's children have the fundamental skills to read on grade level by the third grade and succeed in school.

Gov. Tim Kaine, State of the Commonwealth Address 2007

We must … make smart educational investments in tested strategies to help our youngest learners succeed throughout life.

In the last five years, I have visited schools in nearly every city and county in our Commonwealth. I have talked to parents, students, teachers, principals, school board members, and superintendents. I have read the studies and met with educational experts. It is now clear to me that differences in performance in middle and high school, and even differences in success later in life, grow from differences in preparation at a very early age.

… We must act on our knowledge that investing in early childhood education delivers significant savings for our entire society down the road.

Studies show that ninety percent of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five. Studies also show that high-quality pre-kindergarten programs can have a dramatic effect on all children’s readiness for school and can reduce expensive remedial education and social costs later in life. The gains are most pronounced for at-risk students, but there are clear benefits for all children who get an early start in a high-quality environment.

This year, we have the opportunity to offer this innovative educational approach to more of the Commonwealth’s children. I have proposed pilot projects to expand the Virginia Preschool Initiative by including high quality private pre-school programs, including church programs, in our efforts to expand early learning. Helping children succeed is a Virginia value we all share.

Eligibility Criteria for State Preschool Program:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). . . . for at-risk four-year-old children who are unserved by Head Start programs and for at-risk five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten. . . .

Guidelines for the Virginia Preschool Initiative Application

Children enrolled in the program must be four years of age on or before September 30 of the school year.…

Localities will develop selection criteria based on their definition of at-risk. Listed below are sample factors that have been identified as possible risk factors.

1. The child lives in poverty.
2. The child is homeless.
3. The child’s parents or guardians are school dropouts, have limited education, or are chronically ill.
4. The child’s family is under stress as evidenced by poverty, episodes of violence, crime, underemployment, unemployment, homelessness, or incarceration.
5. The child has health or developmental problems including, but not limited to, developmental delay, low birth weight, substance abuse.
6. The child is an English language learner.

Program Length/Duration:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). . . . at least half-day services for the length of the school year. . . .

H.5002 Appropriations Act, Item 135.15

(a)(2). …Programs must provide full-day or half day and, at least, school-year services.

Scope of State’s Responsibility to Provide Preschool:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). [T]he General Assembly hereby establishes a grant program to be disbursed by the Department of Education to schools and community-based organizations to provide quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year-olds who are unserved by Head Start programs and for at-risk five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten . . . . The grants shall be used to provide . . . services . . . for at-risk four-year-old children who are unserved by Head Start programs and for at-risk five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten. ... The services shall include quality preschool education . . . .

Scope of State's Responsibility to Fund Preschool:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). . . . During the 1996-1997 fiscal year and thereafter, grants shall be distributed, with such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, based on an allocation formula providing the state share of the grant per child, as specified in the appropriation act, for at least 60 percent of the unserved at-risk four-year-olds and five-year-olds who are not eligible to attend kindergarten in the Commonwealth, such 60 percent to be calculated by adding services for 30 percent more of the unserved at-risk children to the 30 percent of unserved at- risk children in each locality provided funding in the appropriation act.

Local school boards may elect to serve more than 60 percent of the at-risk four-year-olds and may use federal funds or local funds for this expansion or may seek funding through this grant program for such purposes. Grants may be awarded, if funds are available in excess of the funding for the 60 percent allocation, to expand services to at-risk four-year-olds beyond the 60 percent goal.

In order for a locality to qualify for these grants, the local governing body shall commit to providing the required matching funds, based on the composite index of local ability to pay. . . . Funds received through this program shall be used to supplement, not supplant, any local funds currently provided for preschool programs within the locality.

H.5002 Appropriations Act

Item 135.15 (a)(4) Grants shall be distributed based on an allocation formula providing the state share of a $5,700 grant for 100 percent of the unserved at-risk four-year-olds in each locality for a full-day program. Programs operating half-day shall receive state funds based on a fractional basis determined by the pro-rate portion of a full-day, school year program provided.

(b)(3) A local match, based on the composite index of local ability-to-pay shall be required.

Source of Funding for Preschool Program:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C).

. . . with such funds as are appropriated for this purpose . . . .

. . . Localities may use, for the purposes of meeting the local match, local or other nonstate expenditures for existing qualifying programs and shall also continue to pursue and coordinate other funding sources, including child care subsidies.

H.5002 Appropriations Act, Item 135.15.

(a)(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly that an additional state payment shall be disbursed by the Department of Education to schools and community-based organizations to provide quality preschool programs…

(b)(3)…Localities shall also continue to pursue and coordinate other funding sources, including child-care subsidies…

Scope of Child's Right to Attend Preschool:

None.

Curriculum Content Standards for Preschool Program:

Foundation Blocks for Early Learning

Sample from Literacy Foundation Blocks

Reading:

• The child will manipulate various units of sounds in words.
• The child will demonstrate basic knowledge of the alphabetic principle.
• The child will demonstrate knowledge of print concepts.

Sample from Mathematics Foundation Blocks

Number and Number Sense

• The child will count with understanding, and use numbers to tell how many, describe order, and compare.

Computation

• The child will recognize change in groups (sets/collections).

Measurement

• The child will identify and compare the attributes of length, capacity, weight, time, and temperature.

Teacher Certification/Qualification Standards for Preschool Program:

Va. Code § 22.1-295. The teachers in the public schools of a school division shall be employed and placed in appropriate schools by the school board upon recommendation of the division superintendent. In placing teachers, school boards shall fill positions with licensed instructional personnel qualified in the relevant subject areas.

8 Va. Admin. Code § 20-21-40.

A. Applicants for licensure must…have earned a baccalaureate degree…

8 Va. Admin. Code § 20-22-110.

A. The Division Superintendent, Postgraduate Professional, Collegiate Professional, Technical Professional, Pupil Personnel Services , and School Manager Licenses may be renewed upon the completion of 180 professional development points within a five-year validity period based on an individualized professional development plan that includes ongoing, sustained, and high-quality professional development. …

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-200.

A. No staff shall be guilty of an offense, as defined in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Staff shall be:

1. Of good character and reputation;

2. Capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities;

3. Capable of accepting training and supervision; and

4. Capable of communicating effectively both orally and in writing as applicable to the job responsibility.

C. Staff who work directly with children shall be capable of communicating with emergency personnel.

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-230.

A. Program directors shall be at least 21 years of age and shall meet one of the following:

1. A graduate degree in a child related field such as, but not limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and six months of programmatic experience;

2. An endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child related field such as, but not limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and one year of programmatic experience;

3. Forty-eight semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college credit from a college or university of which 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours are in child-related subjects and one year of programmatic experience;

4. Two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory capacity and at least one of the following education backgrounds:

a. A one-year early childhood certificate from a college or university that consists of at least 30 semester hours;

b. A child development credential that requires:

• (1) High school program completion or the equivalent;
• (2) 480 hours working with children in a group which could include a supervised practicum; and
• (3) Determination of competency in promoting children’s development, providing a safe and healthy environment, managing the classroom environment and/or childhood program, and promoting positive and productive relationships with parents/guardians; and
• (4) At least 120 clock hours of child-related training taught by an individual or by an organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation. . . .

c. A certification of qualification from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization; or

5. Three years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory capacity and fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent

(a) Such programmatic experience shall be obtained in a child day center that offers a staff training program that includes: written goals and objectives; assessment of the employee’s participation in the training; and the subject areas of first aid, human growth and development, health and safety issues and behavioral management of children.

(b) Such employees shall complete 120 hours of training during this three-year period and provide documentation of completing the training.

(c) Effective June 1, 2008, program directors shall meet a qualification as stated in subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection.

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-260.

A. Program leaders shall be at least 18 years of age, have fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent, and meet one of the following

(1) Have one of the program director qualifications in 22 VAC 15-30-230;

(2) Have an endorsement or bachelor’s degree in a child-related field such as, but not limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation, from a college or university;

(3) Have three months of programmatic experience and at least one of the following education backgrounds:

a. A one year early childhood certificate from a college or university that consists of at least 30 semester hours;

b. A child development credential by an organization listed in § 63.2-1738 of the Code of Virginia;

c. A teaching diploma from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization; or

(4) Have six months of supervised programmatic experience.

a. Within six months before being promoted or beginning work or one month after being promoted or beginning work, a minimum of 12 hours of training shall be received related to the care of children, including but not limited to:

i. Child development;

ii. Playground safety;

iii. Heath and safety issues; and

iv. Preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect.

b. Such training may take place on site while not supervising children. Such training hours shall increase according to the following:

i. Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2006 16 hours

ii. Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2007 20 hours

iii. Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2008 24 hours

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-280. Aides shall be at least 16 years of age.

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-290.

A. Individuals from independent contractors shall not be counted in the staff-to-children ratios unless they meet the qualifications for the applicable position.

B. Individuals from independent contractors who do not meet staff qualifications shall, when in the presence of children, be within sight and sound supervision of a staff member.

C. Volunteers who work with children shall be at least 13 years of age.

Other Quality Standards for Preschool Program:

Va. Code § 22.1-19. . . . The [State Board of Education] shall promulgate accreditation regulations that incorporate, but may exceed, the regulations for child day centers promulgated by the Child Day-Care Council, for those child day centers described in subdivision A 7 of § 63.2-1715.

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). . . . The services shall include quality preschool education, health services, social services, parental involvement including activities to promote family literacy, and transportation. The Department of Education, in cooperation with such other state agencies that may coordinate child day care and early childhood programs, shall establish guidelines for quality preschool education and criteria for the service components, consistent with the findings of the November 1993 study by the Board of Education, the Department of Education, and the Council on Child Day Care and Early Childhood Programs.

. . . [T]he guidelines for quality preschool education and the criteria for preschool education services shall require when such services are being provided by the public schools of the Commonwealth, and may require for other service providers, that (i) one teacher shall be employed for any class of nine students or less, (ii) if the average daily membership in any class exceeds nine students but does not exceed 18, a full-time teacher's aide shall be assigned to the class, and (iii) the maximum class size shall be 18 students. School divisions may apply for and be granted waivers from these guidelines by the Department of Education.

Va. Code § 63.2-1715. A. 7. Education and care programs provided by public schools that are not exempt pursuant to subdivision A 6 shall be regulated by the State Board of Education using regulations that incorporate, but may exceed, the regulations for child day centers licensed by the Commissioner.

8 Va. Admin. Code § 20-590-30.A. Child day centers operated by local school boards shall be accredited by the [State Board of Education] when the center meets or exceeds requirements established by the Child Day-Care Council in Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers Serving Children of Preschool Age or Younger (22 VAC 15-30-10 et seq.).

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-380.

A. Indoor space shall be measured inside wall-to-wall excluding spaces not routinely used by children as referenced in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection:

1. Areas not routinely used for children's activities shall not be calculated as available space.

2. Space not calculated shall include, but not be limited to, offices, hallways, restrooms, kitchens, storage rooms or closets. . . .

B. There shall be 25 square feet of indoor space available per child until subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection take effect.

1. Effective June 1, 2008, applicants must have 35 square feet of indoor wall-to-wall space per child. . . .

E. When children are on the outdoor play area, at least 75 square feet of space per child shall be provided at any one time.

. . . G. A separate space shall be designated for children who are ill or injured.

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-430.

A. When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance.

B. During the center's hours of operation, one adult on the premises shall be in charge of the administration of the center. This person shall be either the administrator or an adult appointed by the licensee or designated by the administrator.

C. During the stated hours of operation, there always shall be on the premises and on field trips when one or more children are present one staff member who meets the qualifications of a program leader or program director and an immediately available staff member, volunteer or other employee who is at least 16 years of age, with direct means for communication between the two of them. The volunteer or other employee shall have received instruction in how to contact appropriate authorities if there is an emergency.

D. In each grouping of children at least one staff member who meets the qualifications of a program leader or program director shall be regularly present. Such staff member shall supervise no more than two aides. . . .

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-451.A. The variety of daily activities for all age groups shall be age and stage appropriate and provide opportunities for teacher-directed, self-directed, and self-chosen tasks and activities; a balance of active and quiet activities; individual and group activities; and curiosity and exploration. . . .

22 Va. Admin. Code § 15-30-471.

A. There shall be a posted daily schedule that allows for flexibility as children's needs require. The daily schedule need not apply on days occupied a majority of the time by a field trip or other special event. The daily schedule shall include opportunities for:

1. Outdoor activity, weather and air quality allowing, for at least:

a. Fifteen minutes per day or session if the center operates up to three hours per day or session;

b. Thirty minutes per day or session if the center operates between three and five hours per day or session; or

c. One hour per day or session if the center operates more than five hours per day or session.

2. Sleep or rest.

a. Centers operating five or more hours per day shall have a designated rest period for at least one hour but no more than two hours.

(1) Cribs, cots, beds, or mats shall be used.

(2) After the first 30 minutes, children not sleeping may engage in quiet activities.

b. A child who falls asleep in a place other than his designated sleeping location shall be moved to such location if uncomfortable or unsafe.

c. Sleeping toddlers shall be individually checked every 30 minutes.

3. Meals and snacks as specified in 22 VAC 15-30-620 and 22 VAC 15-30- 630.

4. Small and large motor activities, language and communication experiences, sensory experiences, art or music activities, and play acting or social living.

B. Staff shall encourage language development by having conversations with children that give them time to initiate and respond, by labeling and describing objects and events, and by expanding the children’s vocabulary.

Delivery of Preschool Services:

Va. Code § 22.1-199.1 (C). [T]he General Assembly hereby establishes a grant program to be disbursed by the Department of Education to schools and community-based organizations to provide quality preschool programs . . . .

. . . The guidelines for quality preschool education and criteria for preschool education services may be differentiated according to the agency providing the services in order to comply with various relevant federal or state requirements. However, the guidelines for quality preschool education and the criteria for preschool education services shall require ….

H. 5002 Appropriations Act, Item 135.15

(b)(2) The proposal must demonstrate coordination with all parties necessary for the successful delivery of comprehensive services, including the schools, child-care providers, local social services agency, Head Start, local health department and other groups identified by the lead agency…

(c) Local plans must provide clear methods of service coordination for the purpose of reducing the per child cost for the service, increasing the number of at-risk children served and/or extending services for the entire year. Examples of these include:

(1) "Wraparound Services" – methods for combining funds such as child care subsidy dollars administered by local social service agencies with dollars for quality preschool education programs.

(2) "Wrapout Services" – methods for using grant funds to purchase quality preschool services to at-risk four-year-old children through an existing child care setting by purchasing comprehensive services within a setting which currently provides quality preschool education.

(3) "Expansion of Service" – methods for using grant funds to purchase slots within existing programs, such as Head Start, which provide comprehensive services to at-risk four-year-old children. …

Executive Order 7 (2006): Establishing the Start Strong Council

The [Start Strong] Council shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Develop statewide goals and best practices for expanding opportunities for 4 year olds to access quality pre-kindergarten programs, and encourage communities to identify local strengths and challenges in reaching the statewide goals.
2. Oversee the development and implementation of guidelines for local Start Strong programs including, but not limited to, transportation arrangements and eligibility criteria for participating students, qualifications for instructional personnel and administrators, inclusion of privately operated preschool programs, and policies for communication and cooperation with local Head Start and at-risk programs and local school boards.
3. Develop guidelines for the award of grants to local Start Strong councils.
4. Advise the Governor, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources on proposed policy and operational changes that facilitate interagency service development and implementation, communication and cooperation.
5. Identify and establish early childhood education goals for local Start Strong councils.
6. Recommend funding and strategies necessary to increase access to high quality preschool in the Commonwealth, in cooperation with local Start Strong councils.

Requirements for Student Assessment and Program Evaluation:

H.5002 Appropriations Act, Item 135.15

(a)(3) The Department…shall establish academic standards…These standards shall be established in such a manner as to be measurable for student achievement and success. Students shall be required to be evaluated at specified times as determined by the Department of Education. Superintendents…must certify that the At-Risk Four-Year-Old program follows the established standards in order to receive the funding.