Omnibus early childhood bill to governor - May 11, 2010
On its way to the governor’s desk is the omnibus early childhood bill.
The House passed the conference committee report 103-30; the Senate did so 57-10 Monday.
Sponsored by Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) and Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), HF2760/ SF2505* would direct the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care to make recommendations on three proposals. The council would appoint a task force to study and make recommendations on creating an Office of Early Learning.
The task force would consider a series of objectives related to delivering, measuring and improving quality of early childhood services. If established, an office could streamline oversight of education and child care services now administered by three departments: education, health and human services.
The council would also make recommendations on creating a statewide school readiness report card, and developing a plan to screen and assess 3 year olds and entering kindergarteners for school-readiness.
The conference committee report adopted by both bodies moved proposed screening and assessment plans to 2012.
- Kris Berggren, Session Daily