Senate Bill S1179

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S1179

SPONSOR: CARLUCCI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to universal pre-kinder-
garten aid; and to amend part CC of chapter 56 of the laws of 2014,
amending the education law relating to universal full-day pre-kindergar-
ten, in relation to providing for the repeal of such provisions

 
PURPOSE: OF THE BILL:

This bill consolidates six existing pre-kindergarten programs into a
single Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill amends section 3602-e of the education law to
consolidate pre-kindergarten programs, as their grants expire, beginning
with the 2017-18 school year. Such consolidation shall be fully phased-
in for the 2022-23 school year. Also makes changes to grant levels and
              

defines 'full-day prekindergarten pupils', 'half-day prekindergarten
pupils', 'current year prekindergarten pupils served', and 'maintenance
of effort factor'.

Section two of the bill makes a proportional maintenance of effort
reduction where a school district serves less pre-kindergarten pupils
than its maintenance of effort.,

Section three of the bill makes a technical change that directs SED to
determine the base year level of general support to public schools and
include grant amounts allocated under UPK, where such grants had previ-
ously been allocated by means other than general support for public
schools.

Section four of the bill amends the definitions of 'eligible children'
and 'unnerved prekindergarten pupils' to include three year olds.

Section five of the bill amends the teacher certification implementation
from three to five years.

Section six of the bill repeals the statewide full-day pre-kindergarten
program, effective July 1, 2019, after it is consolidated in the
universal pre-kindergarten program.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, $800 million is spent in New York State to fund seven differ-
ent pre-kindergarten program, with each program having different admin-
istrative requirements and education curriculum. This causes confusion
and fiscal uncertainty for Pre-K programs operating across the state.
The varying curriculum also leaves children throughout New York with
imbalanced learning, making kindergarten readiness more unpredictable
for teachers. In addition, the number of Pre-K programs make certif-
ication more difficult and undefined for those looking to enter the
occupation or transfer between programs within the state.

By consolidating the programs, we will eliminate much of the confusion
surrounding the implementation and administration of pre-kindergarten.
In addition, the children of New York will receive a uniform curriculum
that better prepares them for the first day of kindergarten, and gives
kindergarten teachers the ability to prepare coursework, knowing that
children have received the same Pre-K instruction. As a result of these
changes, universal Pre-K will truly be universal to all of the children
of New York, regardless of where a child lives.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: S5122 - EDUCATION

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE:

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.