2011 Indiana Code
TITLE 20. EDUCATION
ARTICLE 20. PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE
CHAPTER 35. PREKINDERGARTEN GRANT PILOT PROGRAM

IC 20-20-35
Chapter 35. Prekindergarten Grant Pilot Program

IC 20-20-35-1
"Eligible provider"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "eligible provider" means any of the following:
(1) School corporations.
(2) Any entity providing a prekindergarten program that is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
However, the term does not include a charter school or an entity affiliated with a charter school.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-2
"Pilot program"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" refers to the pilot program established under section 3 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-3
Department; administration of pilot program
Sec. 3. (a) The department shall establish a pilot program to provide grants to eligible providers selected by the department to implement prekindergarten programs.
(b) The department shall administer the pilot program.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-4
Eligibility for pilot program grant; selection of grant recipients
Sec. 4. (a) To be eligible for selection as a pilot program grant recipient, an eligible provider must do the following:
(1) Apply to the department for a grant, on forms provided by the department, and include a detailed description of the eligible provider's proposed prekindergarten program. The description must include at least the following information:
(A) An estimate of the number of students likely to participate.
(B) A description of the prekindergarten curriculum that will be instituted by the eligible provider. The prekindergarten curriculum must be consistent with the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children (or successor standards adopted by the department of education).
(C) A description of how the curriculum of the proposed prekindergarten program aligns with existing programs and standards for students in kindergarten through grade 3.
(D) An estimate of the cost of implementing the prekindergarten program. (2) Demonstrate a commitment by teachers, parents, and school administrators toward carrying out the proposed prekindergarten program.
(3) Comply with any other requirements set forth by the department.
(b) Subject to section 6 of this chapter, after review of the applications submitted under this section, the department shall do the following:
(1) Select the eligible providers that will participate in the pilot program.
(2) Provide grants to the eligible providers selected to participate in the pilot program.
(c) The education roundtable shall provide recommendations to the department concerning the criteria to be used by the department in selecting the eligible providers that will participate in the pilot program.
(d) The criteria to be used by the department in selecting the eligible providers that will participate in the pilot program must do the following:
(1) Include at least an evaluation of the following:
(A) The information submitted by the eligible provider under subsection (a).
(B) The coordination of the proposed prekindergarten program with local health services and social services.
(2) Take into consideration the requirements of section 6 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-5
Program requirements
Sec. 5. A prekindergarten program that is part of the pilot program and is funded by a grant under this chapter:
(1) may serve only prekindergarten students who are at least four (4) years of age on September 1 of the school year; and
(2) may be a half-day or full-day program.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-6
Preferences; award of grants
Sec. 6. The department shall:
(1) select a representative sample of eligible providers, determined through an application procedure, to participate in the pilot program;
(2) give priority to the selection of:
(A) lower performing school corporations; and
(B) private providers of prekindergarten programs located in areas served by lower performing school corporations; and
(3) to the extent possible, select eligible providers so that the pilot program will:
(A) achieve a geographic balance throughout Indiana; (B) include urban, suburban, and rural eligible providers; and
(C) include both public eligible providers and private eligible providers.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-7
Contracts
Sec. 7. Subject to the approval of the department, an eligible provider participating in the pilot program may enter into a contract with an individual or a nonprofit entity for the operation and management of all or any part of a prekindergarten program funded by a grant under this chapter.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-8
Nonrevision of unexpended balance in fund
Sec. 8. Unexpended money appropriated to the department for the department's use in implementing the pilot program at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund but remains available to the department for the department's continued use under this chapter.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-9
Rules
Sec. 9. The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter. The rules must include the following:
(1) Minimum requirements concerning the prekindergarten curriculum that must be used by an eligible provider participating in the pilot program. The prekindergarten curriculum must be consistent with the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children (or successor standards adopted by the department of education).
(2) The maximum class size of a prekindergarten program funded by a grant under this chapter.
(3) A requirement that each class in a prekindergarten program funded by a grant under this chapter must be taught by a teacher who has any of the following:
(A) A prekindergarten teacher's license.
(B) An early childhood education teacher's license.
(C) A degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-10
Reports
Sec. 10. (a) Each eligible provider that participates in the pilot program shall annually prepare a written report detailing all the

pertinent information concerning the implementation of the pilot program, including any recommendations made and conclusions drawn from the pilot program. The eligible provider must submit the report to the department before July 1 of each year.
(b) Before November 1 of each year, the department shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly on the pilot program. The report must include the following:
(1) Any conclusions and recommendations made by the department concerning prekindergarten programs.
(2) Information concerning the cost of expanding the pilot program statewide.
(3) A description of any social programs or health programs that could be provided efficiently with prekindergarten programs.
A report submitted under this subsection to the general assembly must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
(c) The department shall monitor the performance of students who participate in the pilot program as those students continue their education in elementary school.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.

IC 20-20-35-11
Expiration of chapter
Sec. 11. This chapter expires July 1, 2014.
As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.62.