Early childhood education allocation discussed

The Education Committee heard testimony March 19 on a bill that would allocate funds to support early childhood education grant programs.

LB495, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, would direct funds from the Education Innovation Fund to the early childhood education grant program administered by the state Department of Education. Scheduled distributions include $1.75 million in fiscal year 2013-14, $1.85 million in FY2014-15 and $1.95 million in FY2015-16.

Sullivan said the cost of the grant allocations would not require new funding.

“We’re not talking about new money here,” Sullivan said. “We’re talking about using funds that have been previously allocated for other things. Those programs would now be supported through a different funding source.”

An additional $1 million from the Education Innovation Fund would be directed annually for the next three fiscal years to the Early Childhood Endowment Cash Fund for grants to public school programs that serve at-risk children from birth to age three.

The bill also would change a funding source for programs currently supported by the Education Innovation Fund. General fund dollars would be used to fund:
• an integrated student information system;
• the Center for Student Leadership and Extending Learning Act;
• multicultural education; and
• employment costs for individuals investigating and prosecuting alleged teacher and administrator certificate violations.

Melody Hobson, representing the state Board of Education, supported the bill. She said investments in early childhood programs pay for themselves.

“Since 2006, more than 100 school districts in Nebraska have benefited from an early childhood program grant,” she said. “These programs reduce the readiness gap that schools see with children upon entry into kindergarten.”

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.