Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 120551

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 120551

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-179-12

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: URGING FL LEGISLATURE TO REJECT AMENDING SCHOOL READINESS AC

Introduced: 3/20/2012

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 2/21/2012

Agenda Date: 2/21/2012

Agenda Item Number: 11A1

Notes:

THIS IS THE FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED.

Title:

RESOLUTION OPPOSING HB 5103, HB 7055 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD AMEND THE SCHOOL READINESS ACT TO REDUCE THE AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING AND POTENTIALLY SHIFT FUNDING PRIORITIES AT THE EXPENSE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 120252]

Indexes:

LEGISLATURE

Sponsors:	Barbara J. Jordan, Prime Sponsor
	Jean Monestime, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

County Attorney	3/20/2012		Assigned	Michael B. Valdes

Board of County Commissioners	2/21/2012	11A1 Amended	Adopted as amended				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Bell said that Senator Anitere Flores’ proposed bill provided unified performance standards and outcome measures for the School Readiness Program; addressed age-appropriate progress of children and the development of readiness skills; and required a school district offering Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) to adopt procedures that separately accounted for the funds received and the expenses incurred for the Program. She noted she understood there might be some concerns about the State wanting to micro-manage the Program; however, she did not see the similarities and indicated she would be voting in opposition to the foregoing proposed resolution. Commissioner Jordan said that Senator Flores pulled Senate Bill (SB) 1758, and Representative Larry Ahern’s bill was the only pending legislation regarding the Office of Early Learning. She noted passage of SB 1758 would significantly impact minority and poor children. Commissioner Jordan pointed out that the standards for the Early Learning program had increased tremendously over the years to reflect Head Start standards that were currently implemented and SB 1758 would severely impact those standards. Pursuant to Commissioner Jordan’s request, the County Commission adopted the foregoing proposed resolution as amended to remove SB 1758.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION OPPOSING HB 5103, HB 7055 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD AMEND THE SCHOOL READINESS ACT TO REDUCE THE AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING AND POTENTIALLY SHIFT FUNDING PRIORITIES AT THE EXPENSE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

BODY
WHEREAS, the State of Florida�s School Readiness Program is governed by Section 411.01 of the Florida Statues (�School Readiness Act�); and
WHEREAS, this Program provides subsidies for early childhood education and child care services to children of low-income families; children in protective services who are at risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment; and children with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the services provided by the School Readiness Program help narrow achievement gaps, ensure that children are prepared to succeed in K-12 schooling, and assist low-income parents in their role as the child�s first teacher; and
WHEREAS, these services provide long-lasting benefits to students that extend to the community-at-large; and
WHEREAS, it crucial that comprehensive early childhood education and child care services remain available to low-income families, children in protective services, and children with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, bills have been filed for consideration during the 2012 session of the Florida Legislature that seek to amend the act governing the School Readiness Program and make significant changes that can drastically impact its effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, passage of these bills, HB 5103 by the House Pre-K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee and Representative Marti Coley (R-Marianna), HB 7055 by the Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee and Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach), HB 7085 by the House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee and proposed committee bill (PCB) PKAS 12-02, BCAS 12-04 by the House Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, KCOS 12-01, would reduce the authority of the Office of Early Learning and potentially shift funding priorities at the expense of early childhood education; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to express its opposition to these bills and such similar legislation,�
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to reject HB 5103, HB 7055 or similar legislation that would amend the School Readiness Act to reduce the authority of the Office of Early Learning and potentially shift funding priorities at the expense of early childhood education.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Governor, the Senate President, the House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation, Representative Marti Coley and Representative Matt Gaetz.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the issues identified in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2012 state legislative package to include this item.