Oregon Statutes - Chapter 329 - Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century; Educational Improvement and Reform - Section 329.237 - Administration; program design; components.

(1) The Department of Education shall administer the Early Childhood Improvement Program to assist public school districts in providing programs designed to improve educational services for children enrolled in kindergarten through grade three. Programs shall be based on research and proven successful practices.

(2) The programs shall include the following planned components:

(a) Targeted services for “at-risk” children that may be in cooperation with local commissions on children and families to provide services to families, which may include but are not limited to remedial and alternative academic programs, child care, parent participation and child development services.

(b) Efforts to improve the kindergarten through third grade curriculum and educational practices so that they:

(A) Are consistent with research findings on how children learn;

(B) Are sensitive to individual differences such as cultural background and learning styles; and

(C) Encourage parent participation. Such efforts may include but are not limited to adapting curricula and training administrators and other staff in early childhood education and child development.

(c) Comprehensive education, health care and social services for children to be provided through interagency agreements among school districts, health care and social service providers.

(d) Evaluation of programs by goals set by the district for the program.

(e) Planned transition from prekindergarten programs to kindergarten through grade three.

(3) In addition to the components listed in subsection (2) of this section, Early Childhood Improvement Programs may include but are not limited to the following components:

(a) Extended day services for school-age children who need care or enrichment opportunities; and

(b) Programs designed to improve the adult to child ratios in kindergarten through grade three.

(4) The district application shall include:

(a) Plans developed by 21st Century Schools Councils at the school building level as described in ORS 329.704; and

(b) Demonstrated consistency with the local assessments and local coordinated comprehensive plans resulting from ORS 417.705 to 417.801.

(5) Funds shall be available to districts with approved applications on a per child basis for the district’s children enrolled in kindergarten through grade three. Funds not allocated shall be prorated to the districts with approved applications not later than the end of the fiscal year for which the allocation is made.

(6) If the district plan proposes use of innovative instructional materials, the State Board of Education, pursuant to ORS 337.050, may waive the use of such instructional materials as might otherwise have been required.

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Last modified: August 7, 2008