CHAPTER 28. EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
IC 20-20-28
Chapter 28. Early Childhood Programs
IC 20-20-28-1
"Early childhood program"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "early childhood program" refers
to a voluntary parental education program for parents of children
from birth to less than three (3) years of age that provides these
parents with information and activities to help the parents better
prepare children for school.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-28-2
"Latch key program"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "latch key program" means a
voluntary school age child care program for children who attend
kindergarten through grade 6 and that at a minimum, operates after
the school day and may include periods before school is in session
or during periods when school is not in session.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-28-3
"Preschool program"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "preschool program" refers to a
voluntary school readiness program for children who are at least
three (3) years of age and not enrolled in at least kindergarten.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-28-4
Targeting at risk students; pilot programs; early childhood
specialist
Sec. 4. (a) The department shall establish pilot programs targeting
at risk students in the following areas:
(1) Early childhood parental information programs.
(2) Latch key programs.
(3) Preschool programs.
(b) In establishing the pilot programs under this chapter, the
department shall focus on implementing programs that enable the
local school corporation and appropriate community agencies to
cooperate with each other.
(c) The department shall address the following in establishing the
programs:
(1) Screening for physical health problems that can inhibit
school success.
(2) Screening for learning disabilities.
(3) Parental orientation and participation.
(d) In addition, the department shall employ an early childhood
specialist and support staff personnel to identify and determine ways
to coordinate the educational programs offered by local youth
serving organizations.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-28-5
Participation by school corporations; selection; contracts with
nonprofit corporations
Sec. 5. (a) The department:
(1) shall select certain school corporations to participate in the
respective pilot programs listed in section 4 of this chapter; and
(2) may select school corporations that have a pilot program as
described in section 4 of this chapter in existence on June 30,
1990.
(b) A school corporation may enter into an agreement with a
nonprofit corporation to provide early childhood education,
preschool education, or latch key programs. However, if a school
corporation enters into a contract for preschool education, the
nonprofit corporation:
(1) must operate a federally approved preschool education
program; and
(2) may not be religiously affiliated.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-28-6
Guidelines
Sec. 6. The department shall develop guidelines necessary to
implement this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-28-7
Report
Sec. 7. Each school corporation that participates in a pilot
program under this chapter shall prepare a written report detailing all
of the pertinent information concerning the implementation of the
pilot program, including any recommendations made and conclusions
drawn from the pilot program. The school corporation shall submit
the report to the department.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.