The 2016 Utah Legislative Session is underway. As we head
into this session, there are two bills that we will be watching closely this
session. The first is the Optional Enhanced Kindergarten Amendments (HB 42), and the second is the High Quality School
Readiness Program Expansion (SB 101).
The proposed Optional Enhanced
Kindergarten Amendments legislation will provide funding to school
districts and charter schools to offer extended hour (full-day) kindergarten
programs to support low-income and at-risk kindergarten children. A related
bill (HB 41)
will allow school districts and charter schools participating in the Enhanced
Kindergarten program to charge fees to families of non-qualifying children if
the family wants their child to attend kindergarten beyond half-day. Both HB 41
and HB 42 passed out of the House Education Committee on January 27th
and will now go to the house floor for discussion and vote.
The High Quality School
Readiness Program Expansion legislation is intended to expand the High Quality School
Readiness Initiative passed in the 2014 legislative session by expanding
access to high
quality preschool programs with a focus on serving children in high-risk
situations or from families experiencing intergenerational
poverty. This legislation will provide grants to qualifying preschool
programs to support high quality early learning and will also grant scholarships
for teacher training for early educators pursuing the CDA credential.
Watch for legislative updates on the UAEYC Public Policy blog
throughout the legislative session to track the progress of these bills and other
actions that may impact early education in Utah.
--Jared Lisonbee
UAEYC Public Policy Chair