Pre-K for USA Act

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to award grants to improve childhood care and education for local governments and local educational agencies. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pre-K for USA Act 2. Grants for improving early childhood care and education Subpart 1 of part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7243 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 5415. Grants for improving early childhood care and education (a) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary jointly with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and on such terms as such Secretaries set forth in an interagency agreement, shall make competitive grants to qualified entities for activities that build the capacity to develop, enhance, or expand high-quality preschool programs, including comprehensive services and family engagement, for preschool-aged children. (b) Applications Each qualified entity that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretaries at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretaries may require. (c) Technical assistance, evaluation, and other national activities The Secretaries may use up to 3 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (f) for technical assistance, evaluation, and other national activities related to awarding grants under this section. (d) Report (1) Initial report Not later than 30 days prior to the announcement of a competition under this section, the Secretaries shall submit a report outlining the proposed competition and priorities to the Congress on the activities carried out under this section. (2) Annual reports The Secretaries shall submit a report to Congress on the activities carried out under this section, including, at a minimum, information on the following: (A) The progress of each qualified entity in moving toward fulfilling criteria outlined in the entity’s application. (B) The extent to which the qualified entities used grants under this section to expand a high-quality preschool program. (C) The costs and barriers to such expansion, including building and renovating preschool facilities so that such facilities are high-quality and age and developmentally appropriate. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) High-quality preschool program The term high-quality preschool program (A) High staff qualifications, including a teacher with a bachelor degree in early childhood education or a bachelor degree in any field with a State-approved alternate pathway, which may include coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of knowledge of content and pedagogy relating to early childhood, and teaching assistants with appropriate credentials. (B) High-quality professional development for all staff. (C) A staff-child ratio of no more than 1:10. (D) A class size of no more than 20. (E) A full-day program. (F) Full inclusion of children with disabilities. (G) Developmentally appropriate, evidence-based curricula and learning environments that are aligned with the State early learning and development standards, for at least the year prior to kindergarten entry. (H) Individualized accommodations and supports so that all children can access and participate fully in learning activities. (I) Instructional staff salaries comparable to kindergarten through grade 12 teaching staff. (J) Program evaluation to ensure continuous improvement. (K) Onsite or accessible comprehensive services for children. (L) Evidence-based health and safety standards. (2) Qualified entity The term qualified entity (3) Secretaries The term Secretaries (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2024. . 3. Conforming amendment The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5414 the following: Sec. 5415. Grants for improving early childhood care and education. .

Summary: Pre-K for USA Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting jointly in accordance with an interagency agreement, to award competitive grants to local educational agencies or local governmental entities to develop, enhance, or expand high-quality preschool programs. Requires each of those programs to include structural elements that are evidence-based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, including, at a minimum: high staff qualifications, including having a teacher with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or in any field with a state-approved alternate pathway to teaching preschool children and having teaching assistants with appropriate credentials; high-quality professional development for all staff; at least 1 staff member for every 10 children; a class size that does not exceed 20 children; a full-day program; the full inclusion of disabled children; developmentally appropriate curricula and learning environments, that are aligned with state early learning and development standards, for at least the year preceding kindergarten; individualized accommodations and supports so that all children can participate fully in learning activities; instructional staff salaries that are comparable to the salaries of kindergarten through grade 12 teaching staff; program evaluation to ensure continuous improvement; onsite or accessible comprehensive services for children; and health and safety standards.