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 ofthe following:
(1) School corporations.
(2) Any entity providing a prekindergarten program that isaccredited by the National Association for the Education ofYoung Children.
However, the term does not include a charter school or an entityaffiliated 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 pilotprogram 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 toprovide grants to eligible providers selected by the department toimplement 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 grantrecipient, an eligible provider must do the following:
(1) Apply to the department for a grant, on forms provided bythe department, and include a detailed description of the eligibleprovider's proposed prekindergarten program. The descriptionmust include at least the following information:
(A) An estimate of the number of students likely toparticipate.
(B) A description of the prekindergarten curriculum that willbe instituted by the eligible provider. The prekindergartencurriculum must be consistent with the Foundations to theIndiana Academic Standards for Young Children (orsuccessor standards adopted by the department ofeducation).
(C) A description of how the curriculum of the proposedprekindergarten program aligns with existing programs andstandards for students in kindergarten through grade 3.
(D) An estimate of the cost of implementing theprekindergarten program. (2) Demonstrate a commitment by teachers, parents, and schooladministrators toward carrying out the proposedprekindergarten program.
(3) Comply with any other requirements set forth by thedepartment.
(b) Subject to section 6 of this chapter, after review of theapplications submitted under this section, the department shall do thefollowing:
(1) Select the eligible providers that will participate in the pilotprogram.
(2) Provide grants to the eligible providers selected toparticipate in the pilot program.
(c) The education roundtable shall provide recommendations tothe department concerning the criteria to be used by the departmentin selecting the eligible providers that will participate in the pilotprogram.
(d) The criteria to be used by the department in selecting theeligible providers that will participate in the pilot program must dothe following:
(1) Include at least an evaluation of the following:
(A) The information submitted by the eligible provider undersubsection (a).
(B) The coordination of the proposed prekindergartenprogram with local health services and social services.
(2) Take into consideration the requirements of section 6 of thischapter.
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 programand is funded by a grant under this chapter:
(1) may serve only prekindergarten students who are at leastfour (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 inthe pilot program;
(2) give priority to the selection of:
(A) lower performing school corporations; and
(B) private providers of prekindergarten programs located inareas served by lower performing school corporations; and
(3) to the extent possible, select eligible providers so that thepilot 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 privateeligible 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 eligibleprovider participating in the pilot program may enter into a contractwith an individual or a nonprofit entity for the operation andmanagement of all or any part of a prekindergarten program fundedby 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 thedepartment's use in implementing the pilot program at the end of astate fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund but remainsavailable to the department for the department's continued use underthis 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 toimplement this chapter. The rules must include the following:
(1) Minimum requirements concerning the prekindergartencurriculum that must be used by an eligible providerparticipating in the pilot program. The prekindergartencurriculum must be consistent with the Foundations to theIndiana Academic Standards for Young Children (or successorstandards adopted by the department of education).
(2) The maximum class size of a prekindergarten programfunded by a grant under this chapter.
(3) A requirement that each class in a prekindergarten programfunded by a grant under this chapter must be taught by a teacherwho 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, childdevelopment, elementary education, or early childhoodspecial 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 pilotprogram shall annually prepare a written report detailing all the
pertinent information concerning the implementation of the pilotprogram, including any recommendations made and conclusionsdrawn from the pilot program. The eligible provider must submit thereport to the department before July 1 of each year.
(b) Before November 1 of each year, the department shall submita report to the governor and the general assembly on the pilotprogram. The report must include the following:
(1) Any conclusions and recommendations made by thedepartment concerning prekindergarten programs.
(2) Information concerning the cost of expanding the pilotprogram statewide.
(3) A description of any social programs or health programs thatcould be provided efficiently with prekindergarten programs.
A report submitted under this subsection to the general assemblymust be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
(c) The department shall monitor the performance of students whoparticipate in the pilot program as those students continue theireducation 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.