SECTIONS 54520-54529 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 54520-54529

54520. It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature by this
article to ensure that the instructional program in the early
elementary grades in the public schools will complement preschool
programs and reinforce the benefits afforded children who have
participated therein, and will be directed to maintaining and raising
the levels of educational achievement and potential of such
children.
Preschool followthrough programs and projects conducted pursuant
to this article shall comprise an essential component of compensatory
education, and shall be included among and coordinated with other
components of compensatory education programs. Except as otherwise
specifically provided by this article, such programs and projects
shall be subject to all other provisions of this chapter.

54521. From funds which may be appropriated therefor by the
Legislature, or from federal funds which may be made available for
the purpose, grants may be made to applicant school districts which
have established projects or programs pursuant to this article. No
matching-fund requirements shall be imposed as a condition upon
entitlement to any such grant, unless otherwise required for purposes
of establishing eligibility for federal funds. The grants shall be
disbursed upon order of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and
by warrants of the State Controller. Eligibility for grants and the
expenditure thereof by the recipient school district shall be
provided for by standards and requirements prescribed in rules and
regulations of the State Board of Education.

54522. In accepting federal funds which may be made available for
purposes of this article the people of the State of California agree
to accept and comply with all conditions and requirements which may
be prescribed in connection therewith by or under the authority of
federal law.
The State Board of Education is designated as the state
educational agency which shall carry out the purposes and provisions
of any federal statute under which federal funds may be provided for
purposes of this article. The board shall formulate and submit to the
United States Commissioner or other designated federal officer or
agency any state plan which may be required for such purposes, and
shall have the power to revise and amend the same, as required, and
shall have overall control and direction of its administration.

54524. The State Board of Education shall provide for the
establishment of pilot preschool followthrough programs and projects
in schools maintaining grades kindergarten, 1, 2, and 3 at the
elementary level. The programs and projects shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 54461.

54525. Pilot preschool followthrough programs and projects shall
serve disadvantaged minors in kindergarten, and grades 1, 2, and 3,
who have participated in preschool programs conducted pursuant to
this chapter or pursuant to any other law of this state, or pursuant
to federal law under which funds are provided for the programs, and
shall include, to the extent that funds are available, any one or
more of the following elements and components (in addition to others
which may be determined to be essential under Section 54523):
(a) Reduction of pupil-teacher ratios. Reduction of such ratios to
20 to 1, or lower, at the kindergarten level, and to 25 to 1 or
lower in grades 1, 2, and 3 at the elementary level, shall be the
basic standards to which such efforts shall be directed.
(b) Establishment of single-session kindergarten programs, with
the individual classroom teacher to be responsible for one, rather
than two kindergarten classes.
(c) Utilization of teacher aides and other supporting staff
personnel.
(d) In-service professional study involving instruction and
orientation of school district personnel, with emphasis on developing
a better understanding of the disadvantaged children and their
educational needs, and developing particular teaching techniques to
meet those needs.
(e) Development of curricula and educational aides to meet the
educational needs of disadvantaged children, with emphasis upon
improving comprehension of, and facility in, the language, and
cultural enrichment, and including the development of new approaches
to the teaching of academic subjects which will enhance abstract
thinking and sharpen the cognitive skills.
(f) Providing comprehensive health services, including medical and
dental examinations, programs in nutrition, psychological counseling
and speech therapy.
(g) Experimentation in grouping of children to realize the maximum
benefits for children.

54526. Pilot preschool followthrough programs and projects shall be
established on the basis of a geographical dispersion throughout the
state which is most appropriate for purposes of this article, as
determined by the State Board of Education. The programs and projects
shall serve as demonstration models for other school districts in
the state in the coordination of preschool, kindergarten, and
elementary grade instructional programs for the benefit of
disadvantaged minors.

54529. Federal funds which may be provided for purposes of this
article shall bear all the costs of the administration of the
provisions of this article by the State Board of Education and the
Department of Education.