Section 92-11-003 - Prekindergarten Program Approval Process00301 Intent to Operate Statement: Any public school district or educational service unit intending to establish a prekindergarten program will provide the following information to the Department at least 60 days prior to providing any such program: 003.01A A written statement indicating the intent to establish a prekindergarten program meeting the requirements of this Chapter and a description of the prekindergarten program to be provided. The description will include the type of service to be provided, the planned number of instructional hours for a center-based program or contact hours for a home-based program, and the ages of children in the program. This statement will be signed by the school district superintendent or the educational service unit (ESU) administrator.003.01B Written verification that the district or educational service unit staff member who coordinates the prekindergarten program holds a Nebraska Teaching Certificate and has at least 9 college credit hours in early childhood education.003.01C When known, name of the certificated teacher or teachers who will assume teaching responsibilities.003.02Approval Requirements. Prekindergarten programs established by school boards or educational service units will be approved by the Board pursuant to this Chapter upon the recommendation of the Commissioner. Approval requires compliance with the requirements identified in this Chapter. 003.02A School systems may submit a request for a waiver for section 004.07 and 005.05A of this Chapter listing each staff member that does not meet those requirements. To be eligible for a waiver, the following minimum information is required and must be submitted within 30 days of the hire date of each staff: 003.02A1 Copy of each advertised job posting and starting salary, and003.02A2 List all other applicants for the position along with their resume and/or application, and002.02A3 Resume of person hired, and 003.02A4 A copy of an approved course of study from a cooperating college or university showing the staff member will be able to achieve a teaching certificate with an early childhood endorsement within four years. Such course of study should also include a copy of the staff member's current transcripts that shows: 003.02A4a Twelve (12) graduate hours in earl\ childhood education.: or003.02A4b Bachelor's degree or higher including 12 undergraduate hours in early childhood education; or003.02A4c Associate's degree in early childhood education.003.02A5. For teachers of prekindergarten center-based program, provide the plan developed as required by section 005,05 A for the staff member to obtain the required endorsement.003.02B The Commissioner will submit the waiver request to the Board with his or her recommendation for approval or denial. The Board may approve the requested waiver if the components of the plan will promote quality learning, equity, and/or accountability. The Board will reject the waiver if the plan and requested waiver would not provide quality learning, equity, and/or accountability.003.02C The approved waiver request will not exceed four (4) years,003.03 Duration and Continuation of Program Approval. Program approval is granted for one year from each July 1 through the following June 30. Renewal is based on the program's compliance with this Chapter during the prior school year.003.3A Districts approved for a waiver of section 004.07 for specifically identified staff must provide the courses each staff member subject to a waiver completed towards that staff member's approved course of study as part of the Early Childhood Program Report as described in 003.06. Renewal of program approval is dependent upon the annual progress. 003.04Approval For the Purpose of Early Childhood Education Continuation Grants or the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA). Prekindergarten programs established by school districts may be approved annually for purposes of TEEOSA or for Early Childhood Education continuation grants under this Chapter on the annual submission of the following by the establishing district: 003.04A An Early Childhood Program report demonstrating that the program will continue to meet the requirements of this Chapter, and, for programs receiving grants, a continuation plan demonstrating that the program will continue to meet grant requirements.003.04B For programs receiving grants, a proposed operating budget demonstrating that the program will receive resources from other funding sources equal to or greater than the sum of any grant received pursuant to this Chapter for the prior school year plus any calculated state aid as calculated pursuant to subsection (1) of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-1103 for the prior school year.003.05General Reports. The head administrator of each school district or educational service unit establishing a prekindergarten program will include information about such programs in the Nebraska Department of Education approved data system. All early childhood data is due as specified by the data system calendar.003.06Early Childhood Program Report. An Early Childhood Program Report Form will be submitted annually by October 15, and on the form provided by the Department. The report form is contained in Appendix A of this Chapter. When the report reflects failure to comply with the requirements of this Chapter, it will be accompanied by a written plan for correcting the violation(s). The plan is subject to approval by the Commissioner or his or her designee. The Commissioner or his or her designee may approve the plan if in his or her judgment it is reasonably calculated to correct the violation prior to the end of the current school year.92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 11, § 003
Amended effective 3/18/2020