HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 92

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 30, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

CHAPTER 30. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM AND EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Subchapter I. Early Childhood Education Program.

Subchapter II. Extended Learning Opportunities.

§ 3006. Extended Learning Opportunities Council.

(a) There is hereby created an Extended Learning Opportunities Council that will oversee coordination, research and planning statewide for before and after school and summer learning programs for school-age children and shall advise the General Assembly and the Governor.

(b) The duties of the Council shall be as follows:

(1) Research national and local trends and best practices in the provision of extended learning programs and services and recommend new public policy that aligns with that research.

(2) Set program standards and suggest funding protocols.

(3) Establish standards for program performance and evaluation.

(4) Make regular recommendations regarding coordination of services among different stakeholders, especially with organizations and programs providing early childhood services.

(c) The Council shall be composed of 13 members:

(1) The following members shall serve by virtue of their position and may designate a person to service in their stead and at their pleasure:

a. The Secretary of the Department of Education, or the Secretary’s designee.

b. The Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, or the Secretary’s designee.

c. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, or the Secretary’s designee.

(2) The Delaware After School Network Director, appointed by the Governor.

(3) A representative of a non-profit afterschool program provider, appointed by the Governor.

(4) A representative of a private afterschool program provider, appointed by the Governor.

(5) A representative of a summer program provider, appointed by the Governor.

(6) A school district superintendent, appointed by the Governor.

(7) A representative for elementary school teachers, appointed by the President of the Delaware State Education Association.

(8) A representative for secondary school teachers, appointed by the President of the Delaware State Education Association.

(9) Three members of the public, who shall be appointed by the Governor

(d) Terms of appointed members; chairperson.

(1) Each appointed member shall be appointed to serve a term of up to 2 years. Members shall be appointed for staggered terms, so that no more than half of the appointed members’ terms shall expire in any 1 calendar year. Appointed members shall be eligible for reappointment.

(2) There shall be a chairperson of the Council who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The chairperson shall guide the administration of the Council by supervising the preparation and distribution of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, correspondence, and reports of the Council.

(e) The Council shall issue an annual report to the Governor, General Assembly, and the public on the work of the Council and the status of extended learning opportunities for school-aged children in the State.

(f) The Department of Education will provide administrative and staff support for the Council.

Section 2. Amend Section 1703, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1703. Unit of pupils.

(n)(1) The Interagency Resource Management Committee (IRMC) shall have administrative responsibility for establishing a comprehensive and coordinated early childhood system. The IRMC shall be composed of the following members (or their designee with full voting powers):

a. Secretary of Education, who shall be the chairperson of the IRMC;

b. Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services;

c. Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families;

d. Director of the Office of Management and Budget;

e. Controller General; and

f.  The Chair of the Extended Learning Opportunities Council and the Chair of the Early Childhood Council as an ex officio member members with no voting authority.

An affirmative vote of a majority of all voting members shall be required to take action.

Section 3. The Extended Learning Opportunities Council shall hold its initial organizational meeting within 90 days of the effective date of this Act, with the date, time, and place for the meeting to be set by the Chairperson of the Council.

SYNOPSIS

This bill creates an Expanded Learning Opportunities Council to provide research, recommendations, and coordination regarding before and after school programs and summer learning opportunities for school-age children. The Chair of the Council is also added to the Interagency Resource Management Committee as a non-voting member. The creation of an Expanded Learning Opportunities Council was one of the primary recommendations of the Statewide Afterschool Initiative Task Force, which was created by the 148th General Assembly. The Task Force felt that the design and delivery of services would be enhanced by a standing body tasked with tracking developments across the country and in the State, with a view towards encouraging the development of programs and funding models that maximize positive outcomes.