Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan to revamp Louisiana’s early childhood education programs moved within one step of final approval Monday.
The proposal is Senate Bill 581, which passed the House 94-0.
It now returns to the Senate, which approved the bill 37-0 earlier, for consideration of one minor amendment.
Backers say the measure is aimed at improving the state’s confusing array of programs for pre-kindergarten students, especially with the uneven quality of the classes.
SB581 would require the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to spell out what pre-kindergarten students need to know.
It would also pave the way for the state to issue letter grades for early childhood education programs.
BESE would also set up performance targets for children under the age of 3, and academic standards for kindergarten readiness for 3 and 4-year-old children.
