S.F. _____ H.F. _____ DIVISION I 1 STATEWIDE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN 2 Section 1. Section 237A.21, subsection 3, paragraph p, Code 3 2011, is amended to read as follows: 4 p. One person who is part of a local program implementing 5 the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children 6 under chapter 256C 256J . 7 Sec. 2. Section 237A.22, subsection 1, paragraph f, Code 8 2011, is amended to read as follows: 9 f. Make recommendations for improving collaborations between 10 the child care programs involving the department and programs 11 supporting the education and development of young children 12 including but not limited to the federal head start program , 13 the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children 14 and the early childhood, at-risk, and other early education 15 programs administered by the department of education. 16 Sec. 3. Section 256.11, subsection 1, paragraph c, Code 17 2011, is amended to read as follows: 18 c. For the purposes of this subsection , “prekindergarten 19 program” includes but is not limited to a school district’s 20 implementation of the preschool program established pursuant to 21 chapter 256C 256J . 22 Sec. 4. Section 257.16, subsection 1, Code 2011, is amended 23 to read as follows: 24 1. There is appropriated each year from the general fund 25 of the state an amount necessary to pay the foundation aid 26 under this chapter , the preschool foundation aid under chapter 27 256C , supplementary aid under section 257.4, subsection 2 , and 28 adjusted additional property tax levy aid under section 257.15, 29 subsection 4 . 30 Sec. 5. Section 272.2, subsection 18, Code 2011, is amended 31 to read as follows: 32 18. May adopt rules for practitioners who are not eligible 33 for a statement of professional recognition under subsection 34 10 , but have received a baccalaureate degree and provide a 35 -1- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 1/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ service to students at any or all levels from prekindergarten 1 through grade twelve for a school district, accredited 2 nonpublic school, area education agency, or preschool program 3 established pursuant to chapter 256C 256J . 4 Sec. 6. Section 285.1, subsection 1, paragraph a, 5 subparagraph (3), Code 2011, is amended to read as follows: 6 (3) Children attending prekindergarten programs offered or 7 sponsored by the district or nonpublic school and approved by 8 the department of education or department of human services 9 or children participating in preschool in an approved local 10 program under chapter 256C 256J may be provided transportation 11 services. However, transportation services provided to 12 nonpublic school children are not eligible for reimbursement 13 under this chapter . 14 Sec. 7. REPEAL. Chapter 256C, Code 2011, is repealed. 15 Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICABILITY. This division of 16 this Act takes effect July 1, 2011, and applies to budget years 17 beginning on or after July 1, 2011. 18 DIVISION II 19 PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN 20 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION . 256J.1 Definitions. 21 As used in this chapter: 22 1. “Department” means the department of education. 23 2. “Director” means the director of the department of 24 education. 25 3. “Eligible school district” or “school district” means 26 a school corporation organized under chapter 274 that meets 27 the requirements of section 256J.3, subsection 4, and has been 28 approved by the department to implement preschool programs as 29 provided in this chapter. 30 4. “Preschool scholarship” means the state funding allocated 31 to school districts to pay tuition for eligible children 32 enrolled in preschool programs implemented pursuant to this 33 chapter. 34 5. “Private education partner” means a private preschool 35 -2- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 2/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ provider that may submit claims for reimbursement to a school 1 district for providing high-quality preschool instruction to 2 four-year-old children receiving scholarships in accordance 3 with this chapter. 4 6. “State board” means the state board of education. 5 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION . 256J.2 Preschool program for 6 four-year-old children —— scholarships —— purpose. 7 1. A preschool program for four-year-old children is 8 established in the department to provide an opportunity for 9 all eligible children, including economically disadvantaged 10 children, to enter school ready to learn. The purpose 11 of the preschool scholarship program shall be to provide 12 scholarships to pay for eligible four-year-old children to 13 attend high-quality preschool provided by school districts or 14 private education partners. 15 2. The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 16 17A, and may adopt emergency rules under section 17A.4, 17 subsection 3, and section 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph “b” , as 18 necessary to implement this chapter. 19 Sec. 11. NEW SECTION . 256J.3 Preschool program 20 requirements. 21 1. Eligible children. A child who is a resident of Iowa 22 and is four years of age on or before September 15 of a school 23 year is eligible to enroll, based on order of registration, in 24 a preschool program implemented pursuant to this chapter and 25 may be eligible for a preschool scholarship based upon the most 26 current sliding tuition scale determined and published by the 27 department in accordance with subsection 5. A school district 28 approved to participate in the preschool program pursuant 29 to this chapter may enroll a younger child in the preschool 30 program if space is available; however, the child shall not 31 be counted in the preschool enrollment count for preschool 32 scholarship funding purposes under section 256J.5. 33 a. A family may choose to enroll the family’s four-year- 34 old child in an approved school district preschool program or a 35 -3- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 3/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ preschool program implemented by a private education partner. 1 Families shall complete all enrollment requirements, including 2 but not limited to income verification. 3 b. A school district or a private education partner may 4 charge tuition for children participating in the preschool 5 program, but shall not charge more for tuition than the amount 6 determined and published by the department. All families 7 enrolling eligible children are required to pay tuition based 8 on income and the most current sliding tuition scale determined 9 and published by the department. 10 2. Teacher requirements. 11 a. An individual serving as a preschool teacher in the 12 preschool program for four-year-old children shall be employed 13 by or under contract with the approved school district or by a 14 private education partner located within the approved school 15 district’s boundaries and shall meet one of the following 16 qualifications: 17 (1) The individual is appropriately licensed under chapter 18 272 and meets the requirements of chapter 284. 19 (2) The individual possesses, or is working toward 20 obtaining within two years of starting employment under this 21 subsection, an early childhood certificate of eligibility 22 issued under chapter 272, and meets either of the following 23 conditions: 24 (a) Holds a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited 25 college or university. 26 (b) Holds an associate of arts degree and is working 27 toward obtaining a bachelor’s degree within three years. This 28 subparagraph division (b) is repealed August 31, 2014. 29 b. A preschool teacher in an approved preschool program 30 shall collaborate with other agencies, organizations, and 31 boards in the community to further the program’s capacity to 32 meet the diverse needs of the children enrolled in the program 33 and the families of the children, such as needs for early 34 care, health, and human services. In addition, the approved 35 -4- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 4/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ preschool program shall work to maintain relationships with 1 each child’s family in order to enhance the child’s development 2 in all settings by collaborating with providers of parent 3 education and family support opportunities. 4 3. Program requirements —— program approval. The state board 5 shall adopt rules to further define the following preschool 6 program requirements, which shall be used to determine whether 7 or not a local program implemented by a school district or 8 private education partner qualifies for approval to implement a 9 preschool program: 10 a. Maximum and minimum teacher-to-child ratios and class 11 sizes. 12 b. Applicable state and federal program standards. 13 c. Student learning standards. 14 d. Applicable comprehensive statewide child assessment 15 determined by the department. 16 e. Provisions for the integration of children from other 17 state and federally funded preschools. 18 f. Collaboration with participating families, early care 19 providers, and community partners including but not limited 20 to early childhood Iowa area boards, head start programs, 21 shared visions, licensed child care centers, registered child 22 development homes, early childhood special education programs, 23 services funded by Tit. I of the federal Elementary and 24 Secondary Education Act of 1965, and family support programs. 25 g. A minimum of ten hours per week, thirty-four weeks per 26 year, of instruction delivered on the skills and knowledge 27 included in the student learning standards developed for the 28 preschool program. 29 h. Family involvement in the preschool program. 30 i. Provision for ensuring that children receiving care from 31 other child care arrangements can participate in the preschool 32 program with minimal disruption due to transportation and 33 movement from one site to another. 34 4. School district requirements. The state board shall 35 -5- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 5/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ adopt rules to further define the following requirements for 1 school districts implementing a preschool program pursuant to 2 this chapter: 3 a. Collect documentation of school district and private 4 education partner readiness to meet program requirements. The 5 school district shall submit documentation to the department 6 that demonstrates that the school district contacted all 7 known potential private education partners within the school 8 district, including but not limited to, and only as applicable, 9 accredited nonpublic schools and faith-based preschools, 10 the early childhood Iowa area board, the federal head start 11 program, shared visions and other programs provided under the 12 auspices of the child development coordinating council, and 13 center-based providers of child care services. 14 b. Collaborate with all approved high-quality preschool 15 program sites in the district to better serve children enrolled 16 in the preschool program in the following ways: 17 (1) Extending the day, for children eligible for preschool 18 scholarships, through other state funding and federal funding, 19 including but not limited to funding available through early 20 childhood Iowa area boards, federal head start programs, shared 21 visions and other programs provided under the auspices of the 22 child development coordinating council, licensed child care 23 centers, registered child development homes, early childhood 24 special education programs, services funded by Tit. I of the 25 federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 26 family support programs. 27 (2) Promoting family involvement through family support 28 programs as well as district programs. 29 c. Participate in data collection and performance 30 measurement processes and reporting, including reporting fall 31 and spring applicable comprehensive statewide child assessment 32 data as specified by the department. 33 d. Identify eligible children through targeted outreach to 34 all families in partnership with the early childhood Iowa area 35 -6- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 6/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ board. 1 e. Collect information regarding and verify family income to 2 implement the sliding tuition scale determined and published by 3 the department in accordance with subsection 5. 4 f. Address professional development for school district 5 preschool teachers in the school district’s professional 6 development plan implemented in accordance with section 284.6. 7 g. Collaborate with private education partners to provide a 8 coordinated system of appropriate professional development for 9 preschool teachers and staff employed in the preschool program. 10 h. Pay only those claims submitted by the school district’s 11 private education partners which are verified by the process 12 set forth in section 279.29. 13 5. Department requirements. The department shall do the 14 following: 15 a. Implement an application and approval process for school 16 district participation in the preschool program that includes 17 but is not limited to the enrollment requirements provided 18 under subsection 1. 19 b. Track the progress of all children served by a school 20 district preschool program and by the school district’s private 21 education partners and track the children’s performance in 22 elementary and secondary education. 23 c. Implement procedures to monitor the quality of the 24 programming provided under the preschool program at all school 25 district and private education partner sites. 26 d. Determine a statewide comprehensive child assessment to 27 measure child outcomes for all children participating in the 28 preschool program at school districts and private education 29 partner sites. 30 e. Submit an annual report to the governor, the general 31 assembly, the early childhood Iowa state board, and the child 32 development coordinating council. 33 (1) The early childhood Iowa state board and the child 34 development coordinating council shall advise the department 35 -7- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 7/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ regarding collaboration of high-quality preschool programs for 1 eligible children. 2 (2) The early childhood Iowa state board shall promote 3 the preschool program in local communities to increase family 4 awareness of quality preschool programs and scholarship 5 opportunities. 6 (3) The early childhood Iowa area boards shall collaborate 7 with school districts and their private education partners to 8 strengthen preschool quality. 9 f. Develop a statewide list of approved school district 10 and private education partner preschool programs and publish 11 the list on its website. The list shall include information 12 about preschool scholarships and the sliding tuition scale in 13 addition to other information for families. 14 g. Develop and review annually a sliding tuition scale for 15 purposes of granting preschool program scholarships to families 16 whose incomes are at or below three hundred percent of the 17 federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised 18 poverty income guidelines published by the United States 19 department of health and human services. 20 Sec. 12. NEW SECTION . 256J.4 Funding provisions —— 21 enrollment. 22 1. General. 23 a. State funding provided for preschool scholarships shall 24 be allocated to school districts for each school year based 25 upon the amount appropriated and the funding formula set forth 26 in section 256J.5. 27 b. Except as otherwise provided in chapter 298A, a school 28 district approved to participate in the preschool program may 29 authorize expenditures for the school district’s preschool 30 programming from any of the revenue sources available to the 31 district from the sources listed in chapter 298A, provided the 32 expenditures are within the uses permitted for the revenue 33 source. In addition, the use of the revenue source for 34 preschool programming must have been approved prior to any 35 -8- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 8/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ expenditure from the revenue source for the school district’s 1 preschool program. 2 c. Funding provided for the preschool program pursuant to 3 this chapter is intended to supplement, not supplant, existing 4 public funding for preschool programming. 5 d. Preschool scholarship funding shall not be commingled 6 with the other state aid payments made under section 257.16 7 to a school district and shall be accounted for by the school 8 district separately from the other state aid payments. 9 Preschool scholarship payments made to school districts are 10 miscellaneous income for purposes of chapter 257. A school 11 district shall maintain a separate listing within its budget 12 for preschool scholarship payments received and expenditures 13 made. A school district shall certify to the department that 14 preschool scholarship funding received by the school district 15 was used to supplement, not supplant, moneys otherwise received 16 and used by the school district for preschool programming. 17 e. Preschool scholarship funding shall not be used for the 18 costs of constructing a facility in connection with a school 19 district or private education partner preschool program. 20 f. Preschool scholarship funding received by a school 21 district or private education partner may be used in 22 conjunction with funding from family-paid tuition to support 23 the school district or private education partner in providing 24 the preschool program. Not more than five percent of the 25 scholarship funding received annually by a school district 26 shall be used for the costs of supervising the program. 27 2. Eligible student enrollment. 28 a. To be included as an eligible student in the preschool 29 enrollment count by a school district, a child shall meet the 30 requirements of section 256J.3, subsection 1, and shall be 31 enrolled in and attending a preschool program implemented by 32 a school district or a school district’s private education 33 partner. 34 b. The enrollment count for the preschool program shall 35 -9- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 9/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ include all eligible children who are enrolled in and attending 1 a preschool program implemented by a school district and the 2 school district’s private education partners shall be collected 3 by the school district on the date prescribed in section 257.6 4 and shall be certified to the department by the school district 5 by October 15. 6 Sec. 13. NEW SECTION . 256J.5 State funding allocation —— 7 expenditure limitation. 8 1. State funding. 9 a. Allocation formula. For each fiscal year in which 10 moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for purposes 11 of the preschool program for four-year-old children, preschool 12 scholarship funding shall be allocated to approved school 13 districts on a per pupil basis calculated on the proportion 14 that the number of the approved school district’s first grade 15 children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals under 16 the federal Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 17 111-296, multiplied by the average of the previous three years 18 of certified kindergarten enrollment, bears to the sum of the 19 number of first grade children in all approved school districts 20 who are eligible for free or reduced price meals under the 21 federal Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 22 111-296, multiplied by the average of the previous three years 23 of certified kindergarten enrollment in all approved school 24 districts in the state for the base year. 25 b. Redistribution of state funding. Based on the October 26 1 certified preschool enrollment count determined pursuant to 27 section 256J.4, subsection 2, the department shall evaluate 28 the needs of approved school districts and approved private 29 education partners and shall take action to redistribute unused 30 state funding as appropriate. 31 c. Limited purpose. State funds provided for purposes 32 of this chapter shall not be expended for any purpose not 33 expressly authorized in this chapter or in administrative rules 34 adopted to administer this chapter. 35 -10- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 10/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ 2. Program sites —— conditional allocation. A school 1 district shall not receive preschool scholarship funding 2 without school district or private education partner preschool 3 program sites. 4 3. Program continuation subject to approval. For subsequent 5 budget years, continuation of a school district’s participation 6 in the preschool program is subject to the approval of the 7 department based upon the school district’s compliance with 8 accountability provisions and the department’s on-site review 9 of the school district’s implementation of the preschool 10 program. 11 4. Insufficient funding. If the amount appropriated 12 annually for purposes of this section is not sufficient to 13 pay the total allocation to approved school districts, the 14 allocation shall be based on the proportion that the total 15 allocation for each approved school district bears to the sum 16 of the total allocations to all approved school districts. 17 5. Payments to private education partners. Reimbursements 18 shall be provided to private education partners by approved 19 school districts on a monthly basis, beginning with the month 20 in which the school district receives payment under subsection 21 1, paragraph “a” , subparagraph (1), and ending in July, upon 22 submission and verification of actual instructional costs 23 incurred in the school year. 24 6. Department administration and oversight. Except as 25 otherwise provided by law for a fiscal year, of the amount 26 appropriated by the general assembly for a fiscal year for 27 purposes of this chapter, the department may use an amount 28 sufficient to fund up to four full-time equivalent positions 29 which shall be in addition to the number of positions 30 authorized for the department for the fiscal year to provide 31 administration and oversight of the preschool program. 32 Oversight shall include but not be limited to data collection 33 requirements, maintenance of website listings of high-quality 34 school district and private education partners providing 35 -11- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 11/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ preschool programs, and assessment results. 1 7. Open enrollment not applicable. Section 282.18 shall not 2 apply to preschool programs implemented under this chapter. 3 However, approved programs shall be open to all eligible Iowa 4 children, regardless of a child’s district of residence. 5 8. Participation in preschool not good cause. Participation 6 by a child in an approved preschool program under this chapter 7 does not qualify as “good cause” , as defined in section 8 282.18, subsection 4, paragraph “b” , for purposes of claiming 9 continuous enrollment in a school district other than the 10 district of residence. 11 Sec. 14. Section 272.2, Code 2011, is amended by adding the 12 following new subsection: 13 NEW SUBSECTION . 19. Adopt rules establishing an early 14 childhood certificate of eligibility for individuals who meet 15 the requirements of section 256J.3, subsection 2, paragraph 16 “a” , subparagraph (2), for preschool teachers. The rules for 17 obtaining such a certificate shall require that an applicant 18 successfully complete twelve hours of coursework from an 19 accredited institution of higher education in early childhood 20 education, child development, elementary education, or 21 early childhood special education, and this coursework shall 22 encompass child development and learning of children from birth 23 through kindergarten; family and community relationships; 24 observing, documenting, and assessing young children; teaching 25 and learning; and professional practices and development. 26 EXPLANATION 27 This bill establishes a preschool scholarship program for 28 four-year-old children in new Code chapter 256J. The bill 29 also repeals the statewide voluntary preschool program for 30 four-year-old children in Code chapter 256C effective July 1, 31 2011, along with the associated school aid funding provisions. 32 The bill is organized in two divisions. Division I provides 33 for the repeal of the statewide voluntary preschool program and 34 makes conforming changes. 35 -12- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 12/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ Division II establishes a preschool program for 1 four-year-old children in the department of education to 2 provide an opportunity for all eligible children, including 3 economically disadvantaged children, to enter school ready to 4 learn. The purpose of the preschool scholarship program shall 5 be to provide scholarships to pay for eligible four-year-old 6 children to attend high-quality preschool provided by school 7 districts or private education partners. 8 RULES. The state board of education is directed to adopt 9 rules to implement the Code chapter and may adopt emergency 10 rules as necessary to implement the Code chapter. 11 ELIGIBLE CHILDREN. A child who is a resident of Iowa and 12 is four years of age on or before September 15 of a school 13 year is eligible to enroll, based on order of registration, 14 in a preschool program and may be eligible for a preschool 15 scholarship. The scholarship amount is based upon the most 16 current sliding tuition scale determined and published by the 17 department. A school district approved to participate in the 18 preschool program may enroll a younger child in the preschool 19 program if space is available; however, the child shall not 20 be counted in the preschool enrollment count for preschool 21 scholarship funding purposes. 22 A family may choose to enroll the family’s four-year-old 23 child in an approved school district program or a preschool 24 program implemented by a private education partner. Families 25 must complete all enrollment requirements, including but not 26 limited to income verification. 27 A school district or a private education partner of the 28 school district may charge tuition for children participating 29 in the program, but shall not charge more for tuition than 30 the amount determined and published by the department. All 31 families enrolling eligible children are required to pay 32 tuition based on income and the most current sliding tuition 33 scale determined and published by the department. 34 TEACHER REQUIREMENTS. An individual serving as a preschool 35 -13- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 13/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ teacher in the program shall be employed by or under contract 1 with the approved school district or by a private education 2 partner located within the approved school district’s 3 boundaries and shall either be a licensed teacher who meets the 4 requirements of the student achievement and teacher quality 5 program; or shall possess, or be working toward obtaining 6 within two years of starting employment as a preschool teacher, 7 an early childhood certificate of eligibility issued under Code 8 chapter 272, and either hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree 9 from an accredited college or university or hold an associate 10 of arts degree and be working toward obtaining a bachelor’s 11 degree within three years. The provision relating to the 12 associate degree, however, is repealed August 31, 2014. 13 EARLY CHILDHOOD CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY RULE 14 REQUIREMENTS. The bill requires the board of educational 15 examiners to adopt rules establishing an early childhood 16 certificate of eligibility. The rules shall require that 17 an applicant successfully complete 12 hours of coursework 18 from an accredited institution of higher education in early 19 childhood education, child development, elementary education, 20 or early childhood special education, and this coursework shall 21 encompass child development and learning of children from birth 22 through kindergarten; family and community relationships; 23 observing, documenting, and assessing young children; teaching 24 and learning; and professional practices and development. 25 Preschool teachers in an approved preschool program must 26 collaborate with other agencies, organizations, and boards in 27 the community to further the program’s capacity to meet the 28 diverse needs of the children and the families of the children, 29 such as needs for early care, health, and human services. The 30 approved preschool program shall work to maintain relationships 31 with each child’s family in order to enhance the child’s 32 development in all settings by collaborating with providers of 33 parent education and family support opportunities. 34 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS —— PROGRAM APPROVAL. The state board 35 -14- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 14/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ must adopt rules to further define the preschool program 1 requirements that are listed in the bill, which shall be used 2 to determine whether or not a local program implemented by a 3 school district or private education partner is approved. 4 SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS. School districts, under rules 5 adopted by the state board, shall collect documentation of 6 school district and private education partner readiness to meet 7 program requirements, submit documentation to the department 8 that demonstrates that the school district contacted all 9 known private education partners within the school district, 10 collaborate with all approved high-quality preschool program 11 sites in the district to better serve children enrolled in the 12 preschool program by extending the day through other state 13 funding and federal funding and promoting family involvement 14 through family support programs as well as district programs, 15 participate in data collection and performance measurement 16 processes and reporting, identify eligible children through 17 targeted outreach to all families in partnership with the early 18 childhood Iowa area board, collect information regarding and 19 verify family income to implement the sliding tuition scale, 20 address professional development for school district preschool 21 teachers in the school district’s professional development 22 plan, collaborate with private education partners to provide 23 a coordinated system of appropriate professional development 24 for preschool teachers and staff, and pay only verified claims 25 submitted by private education partners. 26 DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS. The department is required to 27 implement an application and approval process for school 28 district participation in the program; track the progress of 29 children in the program and their performance in elementary 30 and secondary education; implement procedures to monitor the 31 quality of the programming at all program sites; determine 32 a statewide comprehensive child assessment to measure child 33 outcomes at all sites; submit an annual report to the governor, 34 the general assembly, the early childhood Iowa state board, and 35 -15- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 15/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ the child development coordinating council; develop a statewide 1 list of approved preschool programs and publish the list on 2 its website; and develop and review annually a sliding tuition 3 scale for purposes of granting preschool program scholarships 4 to families whose incomes are at or below 300 percent of the 5 federal poverty level. 6 The early childhood Iowa state board and the child 7 development coordinating council must advise the department 8 regarding collaboration of high-quality preschool programs 9 for eligible children; the early childhood Iowa state board 10 must promote the preschool program in local community areas 11 to increase family awareness of quality preschool programs 12 and scholarship opportunities; and the early childhood Iowa 13 area boards shall collaborate with school districts and their 14 private education partners to strengthen preschool quality. 15 FUNDING PROVISIONS. State funding provided for preschool 16 scholarships shall be allocated to school districts based upon 17 the amount appropriated and the funding formula set forth in 18 the bill. 19 Except as otherwise provided in statute, a school district 20 may authorize expenditures for its preschool programming from 21 any of the revenue sources available to the district from 22 the sources listed in Code chapter 298A, which includes the 23 physical plant and equipment levy fund, the student nutrition 24 fund, and the capital projects fund, among other funds. 25 However, preschool scholarship funding shall not be used for 26 the costs of constructing a facility in connection with a 27 school district or private education partner preschool program. 28 Not more than 5 percent of the scholarship funding received 29 annually by a school district shall be used for the costs of 30 supervising the program. 31 The enrollment count for the preschool program shall include 32 all eligible children who are enrolled in and attending a 33 preschool program implemented by a school district and the 34 private education partners on October 1 or the first Monday in 35 -16- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 16/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ October if October 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The school 1 district must collect the counts and certify the counts to the 2 department by October 15. 3 STATE FUNDING —— ALLOCATION AND REDISTRIBUTION. For each 4 fiscal year in which the general assembly appropriates moneys 5 for purposes of the preschool program for four-year-old 6 children, scholarship funding shall be allocated to approved 7 school districts on a per pupil basis calculated on the 8 proportion that the number of the school district’s first 9 grade children who are eligible for free or reduced price 10 meals, multiplied by the average of the previous three years 11 of certified kindergarten enrollment, bears to the sum of the 12 number of first grade children in all approved school districts 13 who are eligible for free or reduced price meals, multiplied 14 by the average of the previous three years of certified 15 kindergarten enrollment in all approved school districts in the 16 state for the base year. 17 Based on the October 1 certified preschool count, the 18 department shall evaluate the needs of approved school 19 districts and approved private education partners and 20 shall take action to redistribute unused state funding as 21 appropriate. 22 No district shall receive preschool scholarship payments 23 without school district or private education partner preschool 24 program sites. 25 For subsequent budget years, continuation of a school 26 district’s participation in the preschool program is subject to 27 the approval of the department based upon the school district’s 28 compliance with accountability provisions and the department’s 29 on-site review of the school district’s implementation of the 30 preschool program. 31 State funds provided for the preschool scholarship program 32 shall not be expended for any purpose not expressly authorized 33 by statute or administrative rule. 34 INSUFFICIENT FUNDING. If funds appropriated by the general 35 -17- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 17/ 18

S.F. _____ H.F. _____ assembly are not sufficient to pay the total allocation to 1 eligible school districts, the allocation shall be based on the 2 proportion that the total allocation for each school district 3 bears to the sum of the total allocations to all school 4 districts. 5 PAYMENTS TO PRIVATE EDUCATION PARTNERS. Reimbursements 6 shall be provided to private education partners by approved 7 school districts on a monthly basis upon submission and 8 verification of actual instructional costs incurred in the 9 fiscal year. 10 DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT. Of the amount 11 appropriated for purposes of Code chapter 256J for a fiscal 12 year, the department is authorized to use an amount sufficient 13 to fund up to four full-time equivalent positions which shall 14 be in addition to the number of positions authorized for the 15 department for the fiscal year to provide administration and 16 oversight of the preschool program. 17 OPEN ENROLLMENT NOT APPLICABLE. Code section 282.18, 18 relating to open enrollment, shall not apply to preschool 19 programs. However, approved programs shall be open to all 20 eligible Iowa children, regardless of a child’s district of 21 residence. 22 PARTICIPATION IN PRESCHOOL NOT GOOD CAUSE. Participation by 23 a child in an approved preschool program does not qualify as 24 “good cause”, for purposes of claiming continuous enrollment in 25 a school district other than the district of residence. 26 -18- LSB 2333XL (7) 84 kh/nh 18/ 18