§ 16-87-3 - Planning phase for a prekindergarten program. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-87-3

   § 16-87-3  Planning phase for aprekindergarten program. – (a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shallbegin planning an initial, pilot prekindergarten program that meets highquality standards, builds on the existing early childhood educationinfrastructure in the state (including child care, Head Start and publicschools) and serves children ages three (3) and four (4) who reside incommunities with concentrations of low performing schools. This planning phasewill develop specific goals to expand the pilot prekindergarten program overtime and will also identify opportunities to strengthen care and learningprograms for infants and toddlers.

   (b) During this planning phase, the Rhode Island departmentof elementary and secondary education will quantify the resources needed toachieve and maintain high quality standards in prekindergarten programs andidentify incentives and supports to develop a qualified early educationworkforce, including opportunities for experienced early childhood educatorsand paraprofessionals to acquire college degrees and earn early childhoodteacher certification.

   (c) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondaryeducation will begin to develop plans to collect and analyze data regarding theimpact of the pilot prekindergarten program on participating children's schoolreadiness and school achievement.