704 KAR 3:015 - Kentucky All STARS for Preschool Programs

RELATES TO: KRS 157.3175, 199.8943,

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 156.160 requires the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations establishing guidelines for the preschool program. KRS 199.8943 requires the Kentucky Department of Education, in consultation with the Early Childhood Advisory Council, to promulgate administrative regulations that implement a quality-based graduated early childhood rating system for public-funded preschool. This administrative regulation establishes the Kentucky All STARS Program, a quality based graduated early childhood rating system established in KRS 199.8943, for the state-funded preschool program.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Administrative and Leadership Practices" means a domain of standards related to the planning, implementing, and evaluating of early childhood program services.

(2) "Classroom and Instructional Quality" means a domain of standards related to develop-mentally appropriate teaching and learning practices in early childhood program settings.

(3) "Environment assessment" means a rating scale to assess quality in a preschool program setting and consists of the following evaluated items:

(a) Physical environment;

(b) Basic care;

(c) Curriculum;

(d) Interaction;

(e) Schedule and program structure; and

(f) Parent and staff education.

(4) "Expiration date" means the date the quality rating certificate issued by the Department of Education or its designee is no longer valid.

(5) "Family and community engagement" means a domain of standards related to involving parents, families, and communities in the early childhood program.

(6) "Issue date" means the date the quality rating certificate was issued by the Department of Education or its designee.

(7) "Kentucky All STARS Rating System" or "STARS" means the quality based-graduated early childhood rating system established in KRS 199.8943 and the Kentucky All STARS Quality Rating Level requirements established in 922 KAR 2:270.

(8) "Preschool" means program services as established in KRS 157.3175.

(9) "Preschool site" means a location with a school ID code assigned by the Kentucky Department of Education providing program services as established in KRS 157.3175.

(10) "Renewal year" means the year that a preschool site renews its quality rating certificate with the Department of Education.

Section 2. Preschool Site Participation. A preschool site providing services pursuant to 704 KAR 3:410 and this administrative regulation shall participate in Kentucky All STARS Rating System:

(1) At STARS Level 3;

(2) At STARS Level 4; or

(3) At STARS Level 5.

Section 3. ALL STARS Preschool Quality-Rating Level Requirements.

(1) A preschool site shall undergo an environment assessment conducted by the department or its designee. A preschool site shall achieve a minimum environment assessment score per classroom observed, as established in 922 KAR 2:270, to earn STARS Level 4 or 5.

(2) The department or its designee shall determine a preschool site's STARS level using the following four (4) domains:

(a) Family and community engagement, which shall include:

1. Professional development related to family engagement;

2. Implementation of family engagement initiatives; and

3. Partnership building with community agencies;

(b) Classroom and instructional quality, which shall include:

1. The use of developmental screenings, curriculum, and assessments; and

2. Participation in an environmental observation;

(c) Staff qualifications and professional development, which shall include:

1. The hours of staff training;

2. Professional development plans for staff that align with state requirements and staff credentials; and

(d) Administrative and leadership practices, which shall include:

1. Time for lesson plan development;

2. Implementation of a continuous improvement plan; and

3. Provision of staff benefits, such as health insurance.

(3) To hold a STARS Level 3, 4, or 5 quality rating certificate, a preschool site shall achieve at least the minimum total points in each domain established in 922 KAR 2:270 for each STARS level.

(4) Preschool program sites meeting the requirements established in this administrative regulation shall be awarded a STARS level certification renewable every three (3) years pursuant to Sections 4 and 5 of this administrative regulation.

Section 4. Annual Quality Review.

(1) During the three (3) year STARS certification period, a preschool site shall verify the site's STARS level annually with the department or its design-ee.

(2) A preschool site that does not report sustained adherence to the criteria and domains pursuant to Section 3 of this administrative regulation shall undergo a reevaluation of the site's rating pursuant to Section 6 of this administrative regulation.

Section 5. Renewal.

(1) The department or its designee shall notify a preschool site at least ninety (90) calendar days in advance of the expiration of the preschool site's STARS certificate.

(2) The department or its designee shall determine a preschool site's STARS level for renewal based on the criteria and domains established in Section 3 of this administrative regulation.

Section 6. Reevaluation. The department or its designee shall reevaluate a preschool site's STARS certificate if the preschool site's location of preschool services changes, the preschool site requests a reevaluation within ninety (90) calendar days after receiving certification during its renewal year, or the preschool site does not report sustained adherence to the domains pursuant to Section 3 of this administrative regulation.

Section 7. Revocation. The department or designee may revoke, non-renew, or take other action regarding award of STARS certification to a preschool site pursuant to KRS 157.3175, 704 KAR 3:410, and 707 KAR Chapter 1.

Section 8. Appeals. If the department or its designee determines that a preschool site does not meet the standards for the STARS level for which the site is certified, a site shall accept a lower rating level or file a written request signed by the superintendent, upon approval of the local board of education, for reconsideration with the Commissioner of Education who shall respond in writing within thirty (30) days. If the preschool site disagrees with the response of the Commissioner of Education, it may request an administrative hearing pursuant to KRS Chapter 13B.

Notes

704 KAR 3:015

45 Ky.R. 215, 1016; eff. 11-2-2018.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 156.160, 199.8943