2005-2006 Bill 4990: First Steps Toddler Learning Center Pilot Program - South Carolina

South Carolina General Assembly

116th Session, 2005-2006

H. 4990

STATUS INFORMATION

Joint Resolution

Sponsors: Rep. Miller

Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22531htc06.doc

Introduced in the House on April 13, 2006

Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works

Summary: First Steps Toddler Learning Center pilot program

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number

4/13/2006 House Introduced and read first time HJ5

4/13/2006 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works HJ6

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

4/13/2006

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO ESTABLISH A PILOT FIRST STEPS TODDLER LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM IN EIGHT SCHOOL DISTRICTS EFFECTIVE BEGINNING WITH THE 20062007 SCHOOL YEAR, TO PROVIDE PROGRAM ELEMENTS, AND TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS TO DEVELOP ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES AND AN ASSESSMENT ELEMENT FOR THIS PILOT PROGRAM.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. (A) Effective beginning for the 20062007 school year, the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees shall establish as a pilot program, the First Steps Toddler Learning Centers (TLC) Program, which must develop, implement, and monitor education programs in this State for atrisk children from birth to four years old. The TLC program must be implemented in existing preschool and childcare programs in the following school districts: Allendale, Dillon 2, Florence 4, Hampton 2, Jasper, Lee, Marion 7, and Orangeburg 3.

(B) The TLC program shall focus on providing highquality curricula and instruction to childcare providers and children, supporting incentives for personnel, enriching the facilities with proper instruction materials and equipment, providing parenting workshops and home visits, and recruiting participation by atrisk families through tuition assistance.

(C) The Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall develop accountability measures and an assessment element for the TLC program. The Office of First Steps shall track measurable progress in the TLC program in the following five areas: establishment of datacollection procedures, enrollment, accreditation of centers, improvement of school readiness, and collaboration of the centers with business partnerships and other youthoriented community programs.

(D) The First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees shall promulgate regulations and prescribe procedures as necessary to implement the provisions of this joint resolution.

SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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