Video & Transcript Research : 'preschool'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 3/4/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, our statutes just say that students in a publicly funded program for preschool or kindergarten
  • 00:12:47.680> make<00:12:47.960> friends<00:12:48.320> as<00:12:48.480> preschoolers
  • learn to make friends as preschoolers. learn to make friends as preschoolers.
  • can<00:13:02.400> limit<00:13:02.720> growth<00:13:03.120> and use in preschoolers
  • can limit growth and use in preschoolers can limit growth and development<00:13:04.000> in<00
Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585
Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:18:58.960> education how we can provide preschool education how we can provide preschool
  • Kentucky preschool program. Kentucky preschool program. >> Okay. >> Okay.
  • This is preschool total enrollment.
  • <00:43:00.079> programs that took on these preschool programs that took on these preschool
  • bit about preschool quality. bit about preschool quality.
Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, I obtained a license in community education, preschool to 12th grade school principal license
  • , and preschool to 12th grade school superintendent license.
  • in additionally I obtained a license in Community<00:14:47.440> Education<00:14:48.360> preschool
  • <00:14:48.839> to<00:14:49.000> 12th Community Education preschool to 12th Community
  • Education preschool to 12th grade<00:14:49.519> school<00:14:49.839> principal<00:14:50.320
Bills: HF1247, HF628
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Workforce Development Apr 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am

Workforce Development

Bills: HB1119
Summary: The Workforce Development Committee reconvened to consider House Bill 1119 with amendment version 02005. Senator Hogan explained that the amendment removed a section requiring the Department of Human Services to respond to legislative management, in order to make the bill feel more like a program evaluation than an audit and to avoid placing an unreasonable burden on the executive branch. The amendment also clarified that the Child Care Advisory Committee would provide an update and that the committee would dissolve after the rewrite of licensing standards, making it a time-limited body. Committee members discussed the bill as a novel approach to forming a group to study an issue and then disbanding after reporting back. Senator Larson noted the concept was similar to broader performance-review ideas, and Senator Hogan said the Legislative Council program evaluation effort was parallel to, but separate from, other performance-review proposals. The committee then voted 4-0-1 to adopt the amendment. Afterward, the committee moved to give House Bill 1119, as amended, a do pass recommendation. That motion also passed on a roll call vote, and the committee adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that is really the key point is imagine having to watch four or, what, eight toddlers or preschoolers
  • So that is really the key point is imagine having to watch four or, what, eight toddlers or preschoolers
  • So that is really the key point is imagine having to watch four or, what, eight toddlers or preschoolers
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Child Committee Meeting - 2026-04-15

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , we have four Zoom testifiers, and first on the list, we have Caitlyn Erbstad of Hartley Nature Preschool
  • I'm the preschool director here at Dodge Nature Center and Preschool, a licensed child care center in
  • <00:09:38.000> I'm<00:09:38.160> the<00:09:38.240> preschool just go ahead.
  • I'm the preschool just go ahead.
  • I'm the preschool director<00:09:39.160> here<00:09:39.400> at<00:09:39.520> Dodge
Bills: HF4382, HF2929
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 6th, 2026 at 09:10 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This creates seamless coordination around special education, preschool programs, and child care, ensuring
  • resources while creating seamless care for families who need wraparound services before and after preschool
Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Child Committee Meeting - 2026-04-14

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We don't. preschoolers build character, where preschoolers build character, where school<01:25:38.000
  • I am Dawn Uribe, and I'm the owner of Mis Amigos Preschool, and thank you for the opportunity today to
  • I'm also the mom to a vibrant preschooler.
  • I'm also the mom to a vibrant<01:42:24.120> preschooler.
  • vibrant preschooler. vibrant preschooler.
Bills: HF4407, HF4382
Summary: The Children and Families Committee adopted the April 8 minutes and then took up House File 4407, as amended by the A1 amendment. The amendment, explained by nonpartisan staff, incorporated much of the Senate version of related legislation and made a series of changes: it revised the definition of “disproportionately represented child,” shifted that determination to the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families, made technical cross-reference and terminology updates, adjusted training requirements, set the working group to expire December 31, 2027, and added an appropriation for statewide implementation. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then referred the bill to Ways and Means. Representative Gilman said the bill is intended to preserve the goals of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act while addressing operational, legal, and fiscal problems before statewide implementation. He argued for delaying the effective date by one year, shifting case review responsibilities to the state, and providing funding so counties are not left with an unfunded mandate. He also said the bill adds safety measures related to synthetic opioids and other imminent-harm concerns, and that the delay would allow the working group to finish its recommendations and give counties time to prepare. County officials Steve Schmidt of Meeker County/Minnesota Rural Counties and Jenny Mojo of Clay County testified in support of the bill as amended, emphasizing that counties need clearer responsibilities, staffing, training, technology, and dependable funding to implement the law successfully. Rebecca St. George of DCYF said “active efforts” is not absolutely defined and is determined case by case, often with court involvement. Members raised questions about the meaning of active efforts, the bill’s synthetic opioid language, and whether the proposal should apply more broadly rather than within this specific act. A citizen also cautioned that the opioid language should not unintentionally affect families in treatment programs. Representative Hicks warned that the fentanyl provisions could lead to broad removals and create placement problems for teens with substance use disorder, while Representative Gilman responded that the bill includes a rebuttable presumption and is meant to protect children from imminent harm.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the executive director of Meadow Park Preschool and Child Care Center in Rochester, Minnesota, and
  • My name is Christina Killian Valdez, and I'm the director of Listos Preschool and Childcare in Rochester
  • <01:15:10.560> and I'm the director of Listos Preschool and I'm the director of Listos Preschool
  • In reality, that morning, a family had replenished their preschool child's bathroom wipes with a new
  • child's bathroom wipes with a preschool child's bathroom wipes with a new<01:16:21.600> package
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We know how essential these preschool programs are to the very functioning of our these preschool programs
  • of state preschool programs.
  • These simple changes would support programs and level the universal preschool landscape, allowing preschool
  • These simple changes would support programs and level the universal preschool landscape, allowing preschool
  • They went to preschool center.
Summary: The joint hearing focused on California’s child care, preschool, and transitional kindergarten oversight, with chairs emphasizing the state’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the need to break down silos between programs. CDSS and CDE reported progress toward the plan’s goals, including universal access to TK for all four-year-olds next school year, expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, and more children with disabilities being served in state preschool. They also noted ongoing work on quality rating/review reform, funding structure changes, and the need to address rates, workforce shortages, and federal uncertainty around Head Start. Testimony from advocacy groups and providers largely supported expanding access while simplifying the system. Children Now, Every Child California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that California still has uneven access, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and urged investments in mixed delivery, inclusion, full-day options, and a cost-of-care rate methodology. Every Child California recommended consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, streamlining eligibility priorities, making the two-year-old option permanent, and funding staffing incentives. Parent testimony highlighted how child care gaps and county-to-county transfer delays can disrupt work, safety, and children’s stability, and providers described low reimbursement rates, the need for health and retirement benefits, and support for delinking subsidy rates from private pay. The second panel addressed universal transitional kindergarten. The Learning Policy Institute reported rapid TK expansion, with most districts now offering TK, but said access still depends on facilities, staffing, and whether programs are available at all school sites. The Department of Finance said the governor’s budget would fully implement TK by adding funding for all eligible four-year-olds and lowering the adult-to-child ratio from 12:1 to 10:1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the administration’s enrollment and cost assumptions were optimistic and estimated lower TK enrollment growth and lower costs for the ratio change. CDE supported the expansion and urged continued funding for UPK coordinators, teacher development, and mixed-delivery planning grants. Members questioned facilities shortages, staffing competition, and how to ensure TK expansion does not displace CSPP or Head Start classrooms. No formal votes or actions were taken in the hearing.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • working with at risk preschool children. working with at risk preschool children.
  • <00:08:06.000> students preschool students preschool students and<00:08:08.000> the<00:
  • in idea B preschool funding. million in idea B preschool funding.
  • preschool grants. preschool grants.
  • we entered preschool.
Summary: The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion. The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.