CODE OF VIRGINIA

(EXPIRES JULY 1, 2019) MIXED-DELIVERY PRESCHOOL FUND AND GRANT PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED (§ 22.1-199.6)

A. As used in this section, “mixed-delivery” includes public,
nonsectarian private, and faith-based early education programs.

B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to
be known as the Mixed-Delivery Preschool Fund, referred to in this section as
“the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the
Comptroller. Any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, or other funds received on
its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund.
Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited
to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end
of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the
Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of awarding
grants to successful applicants under the Mixed-Delivery Preschool Grant
Program. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State
Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by
the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

C. The Mixed-Delivery Preschool Grant Program is hereby established for the
purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to urban, suburban, and rural
community applicants to field-test innovative strategies and evidence-based
practices that support a robust system of mixed-delivery preschool services in
the Commonwealth.

D. The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation shall administer a request for
proposal process to invite community applicants to respond with localized
innovations and approaches to a system of mixed-delivery preschool services.

E. Grants shall be awarded by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, in
consultation with the Department of Education, and the Foundation shall notify
the Department of grant recipients. Priority shall be given to applicants who
(i) commit to pursuing models of local governance that promote the successful
mixed delivery of preschool services, (ii) compare classroom and child outcomes
among teachers with different credentials and qualifications, (iii) utilize
incentives to encourage participation, and (iv) utilize strategic assessment to
discern student outcomes.

F. In order to provide program flexibility and maximize local innovation, grant
recipients are eligible to request and receive waivers of Board regulations and
guidelines. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-299, and in order for
grant recipients to compare classroom and child outcomes among teachers with
different credentials and qualifications pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection
E, the Board shall waive teacher licensure requirements upon the request of any
grant recipient so long as the teachers for whom such licensure requirements
have been waived meet certain basic conditions for licensure prescribed by the
Board. Such basic conditions for licensure shall include education and
experience qualifications that do not exceed the education and experience
qualifications for program leaders of licensed child day centers as set forth in
22VAC40-185-210. Upon the request of any grant recipient, other relevant state
agencies and boards may grant additional waivers from agency or board
regulations and guidelines, as deemed appropriate. Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to permit individuals or entities other than grant recipients
to request and receive waivers pursuant to this subsection.

G. Each grant recipient shall annually report on its mixed-delivery preschool
services system and any waiver received pursuant to subsection F to the Chairmen
of the House Committees on Education and Appropriations and the Senate
Committees on Finance and Education and Health.

HISTORY: 2016, c. 738.