Section 162.1168

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 162

Effective - 28 Aug 2009, 2 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  162.1168.  Pilot program created — grants to be awarded — definitions — program requirements — rulemaking authority — fund created — sunset provision. — 1. There is hereby established a pilot program within the Missouri preschool project to be known as the "Missouri Preschool Plus Grant Program", which shall serve up to one thousand two hundred fifty students with high-quality early childhood educational services in order to improve school readiness outcomes. The program shall be administered by the department of elementary and secondary education in collaboration with the coordinating board for early childhood. Grants shall be awarded in this section for three years and shall be renewable. The program shall be funded through appropriations to the Missouri preschool plus grant program fund. Funds from the gaming commission fund created in section 313.835 shall not be used to fund the program.

  2. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall mean:

  (1) "Department", the department of elementary and secondary education;

  (2) "Program", the Missouri preschool plus grant program.

  3. Grantees shall include the following:

  (1) School districts classified as unaccredited by the state board of education; or

  (2) Nonsectarian community-based organizations located within a school district classified as unaccredited by the state board of education.

  4. If a school district becomes classified as provisionally accredited or accredited by the state board of education, the school district may complete the length of an existing grant and shall be eligible for one additional renewal for three years.

  5. To receive a preschool placement under this section, a child shall be one or two years away from kindergarten entry.

  6. The Missouri preschool plus grant program shall comply with the standards developed under section 161.213. Public school grantees shall employ teachers with a bachelor's degree. Nonsectarian community-based organizations may employ teachers with at least an associate's degree provided such teachers demonstrate they are on the path to obtaining a bachelor's degree within five years.

  7. Families with incomes less than one hundred thirty percent of the federal poverty guidelines shall receive free services through eligible grantees. Families with incomes at or above one hundred thirty percent of the federal poverty guidelines may be charged a co-pay on a sliding scale, as established by the department.

  8. At least fifty percent of the preschool placements funded by the program shall be offered through nonsectarian community-based organizations.

  9. The department shall develop standards for teacher-pupil ratios, classroom size, teacher training and educational attainment, and curriculum.

  10. Grantees participating in the program shall give admission preference to dependents of active duty military personnel.

  11. School districts in which such pilot programs exist shall collect data about short-term and long-term student performance so that the program may be evaluated on quantitative measurements developed by the department. For purposes of this subsection, "long-term" shall mean from point of entry to graduation from high school.

  12. Grantees shall coordinate preschool programs with the nearest parents as teachers site to ensure a continuum of care.

  13. The department shall accept applications in a competitive bid process to begin implementation of the program for the 2010-11 school year.

  14. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this section by January 1, 2010. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2009, shall be invalid and void.

  15. The grants awarded under this section are subject to appropriation.

  16. There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Missouri Preschool Plus Grant Program Fund" which shall consist of general revenue appropriated to the program, funds received from the federal government, and voluntary contributions to support or match program activities. The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund and may approve disbursements from the fund in accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180. Upon appropriation, money in the fund shall be used solely for the administration of this section. Any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the biennium shall revert to the credit of the general revenue fund. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested. Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.

  17. Pursuant to section 23.253 of the Missouri sunset act:

  (1) The provisions of the new program authorized under this section shall automatically sunset six years after August 28, 2009, unless reauthorized by an act of the general assembly; and

  (2) If such program is reauthorized, the program authorized under this section shall automatically sunset twelve years after the effective date of the reauthorization of this section; and

  (3) This section shall terminate on September first of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the program authorized under this section is sunset.

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(L. 2009 S.B. 291)

Sunset date 8-28-15, unless reauthorized

Termination date 9-01-16, unless reauthorized