09/26/2008 GAAS:664:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Pre-Kindergarten Education Legislation
Fulfilling his commitment to provide quality
Pre-Kindergarten education for the state's most vulnerable children, Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced he has signed legislation that increases
access to Pre-Kindergarten programs and works to improve the quality of child
development programs. SB
1629 by Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) would develop a ratings
system on the quality of early education programs and AB
2759 by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) streamlines funding to
expand preschool availability throughout the state.
"Pre-Kindergarten education is the first formal step a
child takes toward academic success and California's children deserve the
highest-quality programs that put them on track to a successful future," said
Governor Schwarzenegger. "This legislation will help to ensure early education
programs are available to the children who need them most and that the state
continues to achieve higher quality child development programs."
SB
1629 establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory
Committee to propose recommendations on how to evaluate and improve the quality
of child development programs providing services from birth to age five,
including preschool. The bill also establishes a framework for future resources
necessary to achieve and maintain higher quality
programs.
AB
2759 establishes the California State Preschool Program (CSP), which
consolidates all the early childhood education programs in the state.
Specifically, CSP streamlines funding which will expand preschool options,
increase program availability and reduce administrative
costs.
Since taking office, Gov. Schwarzenegger has worked to
ensure California's children have access to a quality
Pre-Kindergarten education. In 2006, he signed legislation to expand Pre-K to more than 12,000 children living in areas with low performing
schools.
