Friday, June 01, 2007
Governor Releases Preschool Application Information
Preschool Application Info Now Available for School Districts Seeking to Apply
(Des Moines) – Today, Governor Chet Culver is releasing the preschool application information for school districts seeking to apply for participation. The statewide voluntary preschool program for four-year-old children was established on May 10, 2007 when Governor Chet Culver signed HF 877. The 2007 legislature appropriated $15 million for 2007-2008. The purpose of the statewide preschool program is to expand the opportunity for Iowa’s young children to access quality preschool environments and enter school ready to learn.
“In January, we promised to expand access to preschool across the entire state,” said Governor Culver. “I am extremely proud that, working closely with the legislature, this promise we made was a promise we kept. It is now time to get the information and the application in the hands of the administrators so we can begin the work of expanding access to preschool for every four-year-old child in the state of Iowa.”
Through the program, school districts may apply for a competitive state grant to provide at least 10 hours a week of quality preschool instruction by a licensed teacher through collaborative community partnerships. Selected school districts will receive funds based on the number of four-year-old children served in the approved local program. School districts that receive funding this year must begin offering the preschool program by Oct. 1, 2007.
After the first year, funding for the approved preschool programs moves into a state funding mechanism.
BELOW IS SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE NEW PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Any state-accredited public school district is eligible to submit an application for funding.
WHEN IS INFORMATION DUE? A required Letter of Intent is due to the Iowa Department of Education on June 15. A completed application is due to the Iowa Department of Education by July 2. Districts receiving awards will be notified on July 17.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND INFO? The application and supporting information will be available by 7 p.m. today (June 1) on the Iowa Department of Education website at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/940/1103/.
Completed applications may be sent to:
Dee Gethmann
Iowa Department of Education
Bureau of Children, Family and Community Services
Grimes State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: When considering whether or not to apply for funding this year, accredited school districts should consider several application requirements. Community collaboration is a key component to the preschool program. Districts must submit an application that demonstrates community readiness to implement high-quality instruction and shows inclusion of multiple stakeholders in collaboration discussions.
Quality is also an essential element of the program. A district must ensure that programs will demonstrate high quality by meeting program and early learning standards. Districts must also either employ or contract with another agency to employ an appropriately licensed teacher, and address career development plans for preschool teachers. In addition, district must participate in data collection, performance measurement processes, and reporting.
Additional application resources will be posted on the DE website to facilitate the application process. Look for the title “Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program” under the Latest News section of the Iowa Department of Education homepage.