157.3175 Preschool education program -- Grant allocation -- Program components -- Exemption. - Kentucky Statutes

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Page 1 of 2 157.3175 Preschool education program -- Grant allocation -- Program components -- Exemption. (1) Beginning with the 1990-91 school year, it shall be the responsibility of each local school district to assure that a developmentally appropriate half-day preschool
education program is provided for each child who is four (4) years of age by
October 1 of each year and at risk of educational failure. Any school district which
can show a lack of facilities to comply with this section may apply for an exemption
to delay implementation until 1991-92. All other four (4) year old children shall be
served to the extent placements are available. The Kentucky Board of Education,
upon the recommendation of the chief state school officer, shall adopt
administrative regulations establishing the guidelines for the program.
Administrative regulations shall establish eligibility criteria, program guidelines,
and standards for personnel. (2) "Developmentally appropriate preschool program" means a program which focuses on the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of young children.
The preschool program shall help children with their interpersonal and socialization
skills. (3) Funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the preschool education programs shall be granted to local school districts according to a grant allotment system
approved by the Kentucky Board of Education. Children who are at risk shall be
identified based on the Federal School Lunch Program eligibility criteria for free
lunch. Appropriations shall be separate from all other funds appropriated to the
Department of Education. (4) The chief state school officer shall receive and review proposals from local school districts for grants to operate or oversee the operation of developmentally
appropriate preschool education programs. Districts may submit proposals for
implementing new services, enhancing existing preschool education services, or
contracting for services. In designing a local early childhood education program,
each district shall work with existing preschool programs to avoid duplication of
programs and services, to avoid supplanting federal funds, and to maximize Head
Start funds in order to serve as many four (4) year old children as possible. (5) Each program proposal shall include, at a minimum: (a) A description of the process conducted by the district to assure that the parents or guardians of all eligible participants have been made aware of the program
and of their right to participate; (b) A description of the planned educational programming and related services;
(c) The estimated number of children participating in the program;
(d) Strategies for involving children with disabilities;
(e) Estimated ratio of staff to children with the maximum being one (1) adult for each ten (10) children; (f) The estimated percentage of children participating in the program who are at risk of educational failure; Page 2 of 2 (g) Information on the training and qualifications of program staff and documentation that the staff meet required standards; (h) A budget and per-child expenditure estimate;
(i) A plan to facilitate active parental involvement in the preschool program, including provisions for complementary parent education when appropriate; (j) Facilities and equipment which are appropriate for young children;
(k) The days of the week and hours of a day during which the program shall operate; (l) A plan for coordinating the program with existing medical and social services, including a child development and health screening component; (m) Assurances that participants shall receive breakfast or lunch;
(n) Program sites which meet state and local licensure requirements;
(o) A plan for coordinating program philosophy and activities with the local district's primary school program; (p) An evaluation component; and
(q) Certification from the Head Start director that the Head Start program is fully utilized pursuant to subsection (4) of this section. (6) Programs shall reflect an equitable geographic distribution representative of all areas of the Commonwealth. Effective: July 15, 1996
History: Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 362, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 456, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992. -- Created 1990 Ky. Acts
ch. 476, Pt. I, sec. 16, effective July 13, 1990.