Honors American Government Student Senate 2021

Title: An Act to Increase Early Childhood Education, family resources, and transition period promoters for young students

Author: Amy Klobuchar

Preamble: Whereas the youth of America are tomorrow’s leaders; whereas a child’s education and exposure from an early age determines their path; whereas many children do not have access to pre-kindergarten programs, and parents do not have access to affordable and reliable childcare and other vital resources; whereas many programs already implemented can only care for a small percentage of those in need, this act will seek to increase participation rates, build upon current investments, allocate additional funds, and provide family support.

Section 1: Short Title: May be referred to as Education Advancement Bill.

Levy: A request by a school district of voters to raise or continue local property taxes for a limited number of years for operation costs or capital improvements such as computers or other equipment.

MSOC: (Materials, supplies, and Operating Costs): The cost to a school district or education entity for materials and supplies used in the classroom (e.g. whiteboards, pencils, and printer paper) and operating costs like building maintenance and utility bills.

Section 2: The United States government will allocate more money for to expand the budget for Head Start programs and MSOC of these institutions, allowing an increase in the number of those eligible that can be accepted, as only 31% of those eligible are being served currently. In areas with extreme numbers of citizens living below the poverty line, resources will be spent to increase the number of birth to five centers, allowing parents the ability to continue their job rather than staying home with no alternative for childcare. State governments will also be working with extension services to promote health and well being programs to high school teenagers and the public. Allowing all parents to have the resources to raise a child with knowledge about health, nutrition, and accesses other family support services. This bill will also be enforcing public schools to demand continuing education requirement of its instructors to educate on ways to improve relationships with students from nontraditional family situations and how to help these students prepare for primary school.

Section 3: These enforcements and programs will be implemented across the rural parts of America. Many cities with larger local governments have access to the funds to make these presented ideas a reality. Smaller townships in underserved counties will be the primary focus of the allocated funds. Partnership with the extension services will be required by each state. At least one program should be offered in each county, allowing all parents, especially new [parents in low-income situations the opportunity to learn the best ways to start their child on a strong path. The Continuing education requirements will be enforced across all 50 states in all public schools, as the transition from home to school as a child coming from a family with nontraditional backgrounds is difficult in all situations and should be lessened in any way possible.

Section 4: The initial condition involves the importance of investigating and maintaining what funds are already allocated for similar acts. The U.S. Department of Education will work alongside the presidents of State School Associations to enforce the policies involving continuing education for teachers. The United States Department of Agriculture with Cooperative Extension will be the foreseeing the implementation of the early childhood family education and resource coalition and education initiative. The expansion of Head Starts will be funded by a tax levy across the states. K-12 schools currently receive $57.34 billion from the federal government. If only a portion of that was redirection, exponential growth of early learning accessibility could be funded.

Section 5: Failure to comply with these proposed plans would have varying penalties. The penalty for default to fill the continuing education requirement would result in a state’s school association being placed under review. Failure to introduce the extension programs will result in potential grant review and allocation of funds to a state’s extension headquarters.

All laws in conflict with this legislation are considered null and void.

Section 6: This bill will go into effect one year after passage.