Members of the Education Committee heard testimony Feb. 4 on two bills that would support early childhood education efforts in the state.<\/p>\n
LB992, introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard, would create a governing body to plan for a unified early childhood data system. The governing body would be required to provide a final report to the governor and Legislature before July 1, 2016.<\/p>\n
Howard said that the state must be able to transform data into actionable information to leverage the investments made in early childhood education.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year Nebraska invests millions of dollars in early childhood education, yet there remains skepticism of its efficacy,\u201d she said. \u201cThe ability to analyze data to support policy and strategic public investment is critical to learning, development and our state\u2019s economic future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jen Goettemoeller, representing First Five Nebraska, testified in support of the bill. She said it was important that coordination of data be used to implement more focused programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to early childhood education, we already know what works and what children need,\u201d Goettemoeller said. \u201cWe rarely pull all of the data together and that can keep us from targeting our investments more closely.\u201d<\/p>\n
The committee also heard testimony on LB984, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, which would increase the early childhood education appropriation for pre-kindergarten grants by the state Department of Education.<\/p>\n
Sullivan said the $4.6 million proposed in the bill for fiscal year 2014-15 is not a new funding request, but instead represents existing funds previously appropriated for education.<\/p>\n
The funding would support start-up costs for 30 additional preschool classrooms and provide full-day preschool for approximately 560 additional children. State Department of Education staff would monitor grant recipients to ensure classrooms meet a set of objective quality standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve recognized the importance of early childhood education,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have a goal of 100 percent access to early childhood education in Nebraska. [With this bill] we are continuing our support.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill also would direct any unused lottery funds in FY2015-16 to the same pre-kindergarten grants.<\/p>\n
John Bonaiuto, representing the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, supported the bill, saying early childhood education remains a critical issue in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis bill will capture dollars that have already been budgeted for education,\u201d Bonaiuto said. \u201cThese dollars are so important to funding areas that really need targeted resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one testified in opposition to the bills and the committee took no immediate action on them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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