Omnibus early childhood bill passed

A small step toward creation of an Office of Early Learning could be a privately funded task force as proposed in the omnibus early childhood bill, which passed the House 104-27 May 5.

Sponsored by Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) and Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), HF2760/ SF2505* would direct the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care to establish a privately funded task force to make recommendations to the governor and Legislature on creating an Office of Early Learning. The task force would consider a series of objectives related to delivering, measuring and improving quality of early childhood services. If established, it could streamline oversight of education and child care services now administered by three departments: education, health and human services.

“The best way to close the achievement gap is to make sure we have those early interventions in place,” said Slawik, chairwoman of the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division. “This bill would look at the best way to do that.” She said Minnesota’s child care system is largely paid for by private dollars, not public funds, although some programs such as Head Start are funded by state and federal funds.

An amendment unsuccessfully offered by Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) would have kept the office, but eliminated a framework of tasks outlined in the bill.

The “overly prescriptive” language is, in effect, a blueprint for a new agency, said Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina).

The council would make recommendations about creation of a statewide school readiness report card, and how to screen and assess children for gaps in school-readiness and needs for services for those who are not. A report card could help monitor progress toward a goal of having all 3-year-old children screened and 5-year-old children assessed for school readiness by 2020. A goal to have all eligible children ready for kindergarten by 2020 is in statute.

Overall, supporters say provisions in the bill would help child care providers improve the quality of their facilities and curriculum and expand screening and assessment for young children to see if they’re on track for kindergarten.

The bill would direct $500,000 in federal funds from the Human Services Department to prepare for a statewide Quality Rating Improvement system, which Slawik described as “a consumer-driven, parent-driven system” that would rate child care providers who choose to participate on a four-star rating system. The funds could help train providers to teach literacy skills, buy new materials or make safety improvements to their facilities, for example.

Rep. Tara Mack (R-Apple Valley) unsuccessfully offered an amendment to cut that provision, saying providers in her area said they are not in favor of the system and that the department could use the funds as it sees fit.

However, Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield), speaking in support of the bill, said providers in his district like the resources and opportunities a quality rating system offers them.

“I believe personally this is one of the solutions, one of the answers to closing the achievement gap,” Demmer said.

The bill now returns to the Senate where it was passed 53-12 April 19.