Bill > HCR108

This concurrent resolution establishes the Early Childhood Education Governance and Outcomes Task Force, a group tasked by the Kentucky General Assembly to examine how early childhood education is currently managed and its effectiveness in preparing children for school and future success. Recognizing that early learning significantly impacts a child's academic journey and that current early childhood education policies and programs are spread across various systems, the task force will study and make recommendations on governance and alignment with the K-12 system, including how early learning standards compare to kindergarten readiness and K-12 outcomes, and explore governance models from other states. It will also investigate outcomes, data, and accountability by reviewing school readiness indicators, child development measures, and the use of data to track long-term academic performance, aiming to improve data coordination between early childhood education and the K-12 system, potentially involving the Kentucky Center for Statistics. Furthermore, the task force will conduct a high-level review of state investments in early childhood education programs to ensure they align with educational goals. The task force is specifically directed to avoid duplicating existing efforts, focus solely on education governance, policy, accountability, and outcomes (not on the day-to-day operations of childcare providers), and may consult experts. Its membership will include legislators, representatives from relevant state departments and councils, and individuals with expertise in early childhood education and child development, with a parent representative also included. The task force is scheduled to meet monthly during the 2026 Interim of the General Assembly and must submit its findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026, to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to appropriate committees, though the Legislative Research Commission retains the authority to assign these issues to an interim joint committee instead.

Education

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hcr108.html