2016 Kentucky Revised Statutes CHAPTER 157 - STATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION .3175 Preschool education program -- Grant allocation – Eligibility for free preschool education -- Program components.
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157.3175 Preschool education program -- Grant allocation – Eligibility for free
preschool education -- Program components.
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(4)
(5)
Each local school district shall assure that a developmentally appropriate half-day
preschool education program is provided for each child who is at risk of educational
failure and who is four (4) years of age:
(a) By October 1, for any year prior to 2017; or
(b) By August 1, for 2017 or any year thereafter.
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.
"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.
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 and shall be administered in accordance with applicable
federal and state statutes and administrative regulations. Eligible local school
districts shall receive funds based on the average number of preschool children
being served on December 1 and March 1 of the prior academic year who are
appropriately identified as:
(a) Three (3) and four (4) years of age with disabilities; and
(b) Four (4) years of age identified as at risk of educational failure.
Local school districts may develop cooperative arrangements with other school
districts or organizations in accordance with KRS 157.280.
A child shall be eligible for a free and appropriate preschool education and related
services if:
(a) 1.
The child has been identified as a child with a disability in accordance
with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. secs.
1400 et seq.; or
2.
The child has been identified in accordance with the definitions and
procedures for exceptional children and youth in accordance with KRS
157.200(1)(a) to (m); and
(b) The child is three (3) or four (4) years of age:
1.
By October 1, for any year before 2017; or
2.
By August 1, for 2017 or any year thereafter.
The chief state school officer shall receive and review proposals from local school
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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.
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;
(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.
Programs shall reflect an equitable geographic distribution representative of all
areas of the Commonwealth.
Effective: June 25, 2013
History: Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 86, sec. 1, effective June 25, 2013, and ch. 102,
sec. 1, effective June 25, 2013. -- 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.
2016-2018 Budget Reference. See State/Executive Branch Budget, 2016 Ky. Acts ch.
149, Pt. I, C, 3, (5) at 1060.
2016-2018 Budget Reference. See State/Executive Branch Budget, 2016 Ky. Acts ch.
149, Pt. I, C, 3, (9) at 1060.
2016-2018 Budget Reference. See State/Executive Branch Budget, 2016 Ky. Acts ch.
149, Pt. I, C, 3, (19) at 1063.
Legislative Research Commission Note (6/25/2013). This statute was amended by 2013
Ky. Acts chs. 86 and 102. Where those Acts are not in conflict, they have been
codified together. Where a conflict exists, Acts ch. 86, which was last enacted by the
General Assembly, prevails under KRS 446.250.
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