First Regular Session
Sixty-first General Assembly
LLS NO. 970467.01 DFH
HOUSE BILL 971195
STATE OF COLORADO
BY REPRESENTATIVE Bacon
EDUCATION
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE SCOPE OF THE "COLORADO PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM ACT".
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced
and does not necessarily reflect any amendments which may be subsequently
adopted.)
Amends the "Colorado Preschool Program Act"
to allow school districts to serve 3yearold children.
Authorizes the department of education to allow school districts
to implement full or partday programs within the maximum
number of pupils set for that school district, thereby allowing
the school district flexibility in serving children within their
capped amount. Directs the department to establish rules setting
criteria for participation in the program. Limits the use of the
statewide cap of 500 on the number of children that may participate
in a fullday kindergarten component of the preschool program
to the 199596 and 199697 budget years.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. 2228104 (1) (a) and (2) (b) (II), Colorado Revised Statutes, 1995 Repl. Vol., as amended, are amended, and the said 2228104 (2) (b) is further amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBPARAGRAPH, to read:
2228104. Establishment of public preschool programs. (1) There is hereby established a state preschool program, which shall be implemented in school districts beginning in January of 1989. The purposes of the program are:
(a) To serve fouryear,
and fiveyearold THREE,
FOUR, AND FIVEYEAROLD children who lack overall
learning readiness due to significant family risk factors, who
are in need of language development, or who are receiving services
from the state department of human services pursuant to article
5 of title 26, C.R.S., as neglected or dependent children and
who would benefit from participation in the state preschool program;
(2) In recognition of the fact that there are thousands of children in Colorado not presently being served who would benefit from the state preschool program, the number of children that may participate in the state preschool program shall be increased:
(b) (II) For the 199596 budget
year through the 200001
199697 budget year, the department, in its discretion, may
establish a program under which a school district could apply
to the department for authorization to implement a fullday
kindergarten component of the district's preschool program. Of
the total number of children that may participate in the state
preschool program, no more than five hundred would be allowed
to participate in the full day
FULLDAY kindergarten program. If a program is established,
the department shall establish criteria to use in selecting school
districts for participation in the program.
(III) FOR THE 199798 BUDGET YEAR THROUGH THE 200001 BUDGET YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT MAY AUTHORIZE A DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT FULL OR PARTDAY PROGRAMS FOR ANY NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, BUT NOT TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PUPILS SET FOR THE DISTRICT'S PRESCHOOL PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 2228107 (3). THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH, BY RULE, CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATING IN SUCH A PROGRAM.
SECTION 2. 2228106 (1) (a) (I), Colorado Revised Statutes, 1995 Repl. Vol., is amended to read:
2228106. Eligibility of children for participation in district program. (1) (a) The department shall establish, by rule and regulation, criteria for each school district to use in determining which children in the district shall be eligible for participation in the district preschool program, subject to the following requirements:
(I) No child shall participate in the
district preschool program unless he OR SHE is THREE, four, or
five years old. and would be eligible
to enroll in kindergarten in the following academic year.
SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.