I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3782 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 8, 2009 Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to encourage the implementation or expansion of prekindergarten programs for students 4 years of age or younger.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2009.

2.

Use of community learning center funds for prekindergarten programs

Section 4205 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7175) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2)by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b)

Prekindergarten programs

(1)

Authorization

In addition to the activities authorized under subsection (a), a local educational agency that receives an award under this part may use the award for educational activities for children 4 years of age or younger if the agency agrees to phase in, where possible, a prekindergarten program. (2)

Definition

For purposes of this subsection, the term prekindergarten program means a program that— (A)provides a prekindergarten curriculum in classrooms at public elementary schools for students 4 years of age or younger; and (B)is taught by teachers who possess equivalent or similar qualifications to those of teachers of other grades in the school involved. .