Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the California Prekindergarten Program, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

Highlights:

• Establishes the California Prekindergarten Program to achieve certain standards including, but not limited to, the following standards (Sec. 2):
• To build on high quality early learning programs, including federal Head Start programs, to sustain and support the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development of enrolled children.
• To teach language development for non-English speakers.

• Authorizes 4 year old children enrolled in a state-funded prekindergarten program to be eligible for supplemental education and care services under the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• They are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch;
• They are eligible for Cal-Fresh or Medi-Cal programs; or
• Their family’s adjusted median income is at or below 70 percent of the state median income, adjusted annually for family size.

• Authorizes a school district or charter school that offers kindergarten to provide prekindergarten to the following children, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year (Sec. 2):
• Any child that is eligible for free or reduced price meals;
• Any child that is not eligible to enroll in a kindergarten school; and
• Any child that will have his or her fourth birthday on or before September 1st of the applicable school year. 

• Requires a school district or charter school that offers kindergarten to provide prekindergarten to the following children, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year (Sec. 2):
• Any child that is eligible for free or reduced price meals;
• Any child that is not eligible to enroll in a kindergarten school; and
• Any child that will have his or her fourth birthday on or before September 1st of the applicable school year. 

• Requires all prekindergarten teachers to possess certain credentials including, but not limited to, the following credentials on or before July 1, 2021 (Sec. 2):
• A bachelor’s degree with at least 24 units in early childhood education or development; and
• A teaching permit or credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

• Requires all prekindergarten paraprofessionals to possess certain credentials including, but not limited to, the following credentials on or before July 1, 2021 (Sec. 2):
• At least 24 units in early childhood education or development; and
• A teaching permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

• Requires prekindergarten classes of 20 or fewer children to be staffed by at least 1 prekindergarten teacher and 1 prekindergarten paraprofessional (Sec. 2).

• Requires prekindergarten classes of 21 or more children to be staffed by at least 1 prekindergarten teacher and 2 prekindergarten paraprofessionals (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits prekindergarten classes from exceeding 24 children beginning in the 2019-2020 school year (Sec. 2). 

Full Bill Text