(a)The early learning advisory committee
is established to do the following:
(1)Establish child developmental and educational goals for
Indiana's early learning system, including the development of
standards and objectives for early education programs that receive
state or federal funds.
(2)Design and maintain an approach to measuring progress
toward the goals established under subdivision (1) that include
objective measures of academic quality.
(3)Assess the attainment of the goals established under
subdivision (1) and evaluate the efficacy of state and federal
spending on Indiana's early learning system.
(4)Assess whether the requirements for early education program
licensure:
(A)create an equitable standard for health and safety across all
early education program types;
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(a) The early learning advisory committee
is established to do the following:
(1) Establish child developmental and educational goals for
Indiana's early learning system, including the development of
standards and objectives for early education programs that receive
state or federal funds.
(2) Design and maintain an approach to measuring progress
toward the goals established under subdivision (1) that include
objective measures of academic quality.
(3) Assess the attainment of the goals established under
subdivision (1) and evaluate the efficacy of state and federal
spending on Indiana's early learning system.
(4) Assess whether the requirements for early education program
licensure:
(A) create an equitable standard for health and safety across all
early education program types;
(B) reinforce the goals established under subdivision (1); and
(C) support the sustainability of Indiana's early learning system.
(5) Conduct periodic statewide needs assessments concerning the
quality and availability of early education programs for children
from birth to the age of school entry, including the availability of
high quality prekindergarten education for low income children
in Indiana.
(6) Identify opportunities for, and barriers to, collaboration and
coordination among federally and state funded child development,
child care, and early childhood education programs and services,
including governmental agencies that administer the programs
and services.
(7) Design early education workforce strategies, including
recommendations on how to advance professional development.
(8) Assess the capacity and effectiveness of pathways to support
training and recruitment of early educators.
(9) Not later than November 30 of each year, develop and make
recommendations to the governor and, in an electronic format
under IC 5-14-6, to the legislative council concerning the results
of the committee's work under subdivisions (1) through (8).
(10) Not later than May 1, 2024, commission a third party
evaluation to assess existing regulations for child care providers
and provide a report containing recommendations to:
(A) maintain health and safety standards;
(B) streamline administrative burdens, program standards, and
reporting requirements for child care providers;
(C) provide flexibility for a child care provider with a Level 3
or Level 4 paths to QUALITY program rating to expand to
other locations; and
(D) assist accredited kindergarten through grade 12 institutions
in establishing and providing high quality onsite child care and
early learning programs.
Not later than July 1, 2024, the office of the secretary shall initiate
the process of amending the rules adopted by the office under IC 12-17.2-7.2 in consideration of the recommendations of the third
party evaluation. This subdivision expires January 1, 2025.
(11) Not later than December 31, 2023, develop recommendations
for implementing a revised paths to QUALITY program that:
(A) maintains health and safety standards;
(B) integrates objective measures of kindergarten readiness;
(C) contemplates accredited kindergarten through grade 12
institutions as onsite providers; and
(D) incentivizes child care providers to increase wages for child
care workers who complete education and training that result in
a postsecondary degree or industry recognized credential.
This subdivision expires July 1, 2024.
(12) Not later than September 30, 2024, do the following:
(A) Complete a study regarding compensation in Indiana for:
(i) early childhood educators; and
(ii) caregivers at out-of-school-time programs;
by collecting compensation data throughout Indiana.
(B) Create an online dashboard to allow access to compensation
data.
(C) Issue a report containing the committee's findings and
recommendations on compensation in Indiana for:
(i) early childhood educators; and
(ii) caregivers at out-of-school-time programs.
(b) The committee consists of the following fifteen (15) members:
(1) The secretary of education or the secretary's designee.
(2) The secretary of family and social services or the secretary's
designee.
(3) Nine (9) members appointed by the governor as follows:
(A) A representative of an organization with an interest in
training the early childhood education workforce.
(B) A representative of a Head Start program under 42 U.S.C.
9831 et seq.
(C) A member of the general public who has an interest in early
childhood education.
(D) A representative of an early childhood education provider.
(E) A representative from a school corporation who has an
interest in strengthening the transition from early childhood
education to elementary education.
(F) A representative of business with an interest in early
childhood education.
(G) A representative of the nonprofit or philanthropic
community with an interest in early childhood education.
(H) A representative of an out-of-school-time program.
(I) A representative of an organization with an interest in
training individuals in the out-of-school time field and
strengthening the out-of-school time field in Indiana statewide.
(4) One (1) member who:
(A) is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(B) is not a member of the general assembly; and
(C) shall serve as a nonvoting member.
(5) One (1) member who:
(A) is appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;
(B) is not a member of the general assembly; and
(C) shall serve as a nonvoting member.
(6) One (1) member who:
(A) is appointed by the minority leader of the house of
representatives;
(B) is not a member of the general assembly; and
(C) shall serve as a nonvoting member.
(7) One (1) member who:
(A) is appointed by the minority leader of the senate;
(B) is not a member of the general assembly; and
(C) shall serve as a nonvoting member.
(c) Subject to section 5.1 of this chapter, members appointed under
subsection (b)(3) through (b)(7) serve for three (3) year terms. The
members of the committee serve at the pleasure of the appointing
authority.
(d) The governor shall appoint a member of the committee to serve
as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet at least six
(6) times each calendar year at the call of the chairperson.
(e) The division shall, in consultation with the department of
education, staff the committee.
(f) The expenses of the committee shall be paid from the funds of
the division.
(g) Each member of the committee who is not a state employee is
entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b).
The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses
as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in
connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies
and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration
and approved by the budget agency.
(h) Each member of the committee who is a state employee but who
is not a member of the general assembly is entitled to reimbursement
for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other
expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as
provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana
department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
(i) Each member of the committee who is a member of the general
assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and travel
allowances paid to legislative members of interim study committees
established by the legislative council. Per diem, mileage, and travel
allowances paid under this section shall be paid from appropriations
made to the legislative council or the legislative services agency.
(j) The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting members
appointed to the committee are required for the committee to take
action on any measure, including final reports.