Senators gave first-round approval April 5 to a bill that would allocate funds to support early childhood education grant programs.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sullivan said investments in early childhood education result in a high return on investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe research tells us it\u2019s important to invest in early childhood education,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have 152 school districts that have early childhood programs. They recognize the importance and it\u2019s essential we keep the ball rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
An additional $1 million from the Education Innovation Fund would be directed to the Early Childhood Endowment Cash Fund annually for the next three fiscal years for grants to public school programs that serve at-risk children from birth to age three.<\/p>\n
The bill would change a funding source for programs currently supported by the Education Innovation Fund. General fund dollars would be used to fund:
\n\u2022 an integrated student information system;
\n\u2022 the Center for Student Leadership and Extending Learning Act;
\n\u2022 multicultural education; and
\n\u2022 employment costs for individuals investigating and prosecuting alleged teacher and administrator certificate violations.<\/p>\n
Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley supported the bill, saying it represents a small price to pay for ensuring the success and stability of children.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of these children are behind from the day they\u2019re born and spend their entire life struggling to get ahead,\u201d Hadley said. \u201cThe wealth of the parents should never be used to determine the success of the child.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery also supported the bill. He said research on the positive effects of early childhood education has advanced exponentially in just a few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch shows that if kids have a high quality early education experience before age five, it yields long term benefits,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are more likely to graduate high school, own a home and earn as much as $2,000 more per month as adults.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following adoption of two technical amendments, senators advanced the bill to select file on a 33-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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