Pending Regulation

Title 5 - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Division 50 - Division of School Improvement

Chapter 270 - Early Childhood Education

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Comments about this proposed amendment must be submitted by March 16, 2008, to the
Assistant Commissioner of School Improvement, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480;
or by e-mail to this address: webreplyimpr@dese.mo.gov .

5 CSR 50-270.010 General Provisions Governing Programs Authorized Under the Early Childhood Development Act.   The State Board of Education is proposing to amend subsection (1)(B) and the incorporated by reference material.

PURPOSE: This rule establishes policies and standards to administer a program of grants to local public school districts for the provision of early childhood screening, parent education and programs for developmentally delayed children.  Revisions to the administrtative guidelines include changes to the characteristics for high-needs families; approved screening instruments and hearing/vision procedures; and reimbursement clarification regarding group or personal visits.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:  The secretary of state has determiend that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive.  This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction.  This note applies only to the reference material.  The entire text of the rule is printed here.

(1) All programs and projects carried out by school districts under the Early Childhood Development Act (ECDA) shall be conducted in conformity with:

(B)  The state “Early Childhood Development Act Program Guidelines and Administrative Manual,” revised January 2008, which is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule [and which] as published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and is available at the Early Childhood Education Section, 205 Jefferson Street, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480, or on DESE's Internet.  This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.  The “Early Childhood Development Act Program Guidelines and Administrative Manual” interprets state statutory requirements for the programs and establishes program management procedures consistent with state law and practice. 

AUTHORITY: sections 178.691–178.699, RSMo 2000 and 161.092, RSMo Supp. [2002] 2007.  Original rule filed April 4, 1985, effective Sept. 3, 1985. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Feb. 27, 1992, effective Sept. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed June 29, 1995, effective Jan. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed May 29, 1998, effective Dec. 30, 1998. Amended: Filed July 28, 2000, effective Feb. 28, 2001. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 2002, effective April 30, 2003.  Amended:  Filed Jan. 16, 2008.

PUBLIC COST:  This proposed amendment is estimated to cost the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education $34,304,651 for Fiscal Year 2008, with the cost recurring annually over the life of the rule subject to appropriations.

PRIVATE COST:  This proposed amendment will not cost private entities more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.

NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS:  Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed amendment with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, ATTN:  JoAnne Ralston, Director, Early Childhood Education, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO  65102-0480.  To be considered, comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register.  No public hearing is scheduled.

FISCAL NOTE
PUBLIC COST

I.  RULE NUMBER

II.  SUMMARY OF FISCAL IMPACT

III.  WORKSHEET

DISTRICT QUOTAS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 (2007-2008)

Each school district is provided with a quota based on the previous year’s service and the amount of funds appropriated to the program. (Due to the increase in services to be provided in FY2008, quotas were set higher than the allocation amount because programs will be adjusting to the new service requirements which will impact their ability to fully meet their quotas for FY2008.)

Parent Education for Families with Children Ages Birth To Three (P1& IPP1)
FY2008 quotas are based on the number of services provided by the district in FY2007 or the FY2007 quota, whichever is the higher amount.

Parent Education for Families with Children Ages Three to Kindergarten Entry (P3 & IPP3)
FY2008 quotas are based on the number of families served in FY2007 or the FY2007 quota, whichever is the lesser amount.

Additional Services for Families with High Needs (HN & IPHN)
FY2008 quotas are based on the number of High Needs contacts provided in FY2007 or the FY2007 quota, whichever is the higher amount.  Up to 50% of the High Needs Services may be used for families with children three to kindergarten entry provided a parent educator certified to use the three to kindergarten entry curriculum delivers the services.

Screening of Children Ages One and Two (S1)
FY2008 quotas are based on the number of services provided in FY2007 or the FY2007 S1 quota, whichever is the lesser amount.

Screening of Children Ages Three to Kindergarten Entry (S3)
FY2008 quotas are based on the number of services provided in FY2007 or the FY2007 S3 quota, whichever is the lesser amount. 

Incarcerated Parents Group Meetings (IPGM)

FY2008 quotas are based on 2 group meetings a month for a 12 month period.

IV.  ASSUMPTIONS

The rule incorporates by reference The Early Childhood Development Act Program Guidelines and Administrative Manual.  Aid included under these programs is limited exclusively to school districts.  Due to this limitation, the proposed amendment will not require an expenditure of money by or a reduction in income for any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership, proprietorship, or business entity.

*FSEU – Full Service Equivalent Unit

**BCU – Basic Contact Unit

For more information regarding this rule, please contact
Early Childhood Education Section at (573) 751-2095.