Hawaii Joins Rest of Nation by Launching Early Learning Program

Terry Lock will head Hawaii’s new Executive Office of Early Learning, the governor announced Thursday when he signed a law creating the new state agency.

Sen. Tokuda and Rep. Takumi led the effort to get the bill passed last legislative session, including $300,000 in start-up funds.

Abercrombie’s office issued a news release explaining the basics of the bill.

SB 2545 does the following:

∫ establishes the Executive Office on Early Learning;

∫ establishes the Early Learning Advisory Board (ELAB) to replace the Early Learning Council;

∫ repeals junior kindergarten programs at the end of the 2013-2014 school year; and

∫ requires that students, in order to enter kindergarten, be at least five years of age on July 31 of the same year (beginning with the 2014-2015 school year)

With the signing of this bill, Hawaiꞌi joins the rest of the nation, where students start kindergarten at age 5. The bill also states that the EOEL will be responsible for developing an implementation plan for an early learning program, targeting late born five year olds and 4 year olds. The plan is due to the Legislature 20 days prior to the start of the 2013 legislative session. The vision is to have a universal network of child care and preschool support for every 4 year old in the State.