Early Learning Quality Improvement Rating Scale Pilot Program.

Existing law establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee for the purpose of developing a policy and implementation plan for an Early Learning Quality Improvement System for the state. Existing law requires the committee to submit to the Legislature and the Governor an interim report by December 31, 2009, and a final report by December 31, 2010. The report is required to address various issues relating to early care and education programs that serve children from birth to 5 years of age, inclusive. This bill would, contingent upon the receipt of federal funds for this purpose, require the State Department of Education to implement a quality rating scale, including a pilot program, based on the committee's recommendations for the purposes of measuring the quality of early care and education providers and facilities. The bill would also require the California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care to conduct an annual review of the pilot program, provide ongoing recommendations for improvement of the quality rating scale, select an evaluator to conduct an evaluation, and to submit the evaluation to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on or before January 1, 2016. This bill would make these provisions inoperative on June 30, 2017, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2018.