| 20 | | - | (c) In developing the proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule, the office may (1) incorporate the findings and recommendations provided in "A Plan to Assist Early Education State Funded Providers to Degree Attainment and Increased Compensation" created by the office, pursuant to section 4 of public act 15-134, to create a standardized salary scale and incentive package for early childhood educators, (2) utilize state and federal funding, and (3) examine existing programs that address early childhood educator compensation and staff retention through financial incentives, such as bonuses for degree or course completion. |
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| 32 | + | (c) The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall consider the following factors in establishing the early childhood educator compensation schedule: (1) Level of education, (2) training in early childhood education or child development, (3) relevant employment experience, including the number of years an individual has been employed in an early childhood education program, (4) compensation levels for certified teachers employed in a preschool program operated by a local or regional board of education or regional educational service center, and (5) cost of living in the state. |
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| 22 | | - | (d) Not later than January 1, 2017, the office shall submit the proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule and a report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall include: (1) Any recommendations for legislation relating to the implementation of the proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule, (2) an estimate of the cost of implementing the proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule, (3) an analysis of the effect on the number of available preschool seats as a result of the implementation of the proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule, and (4) an explanation of how the proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule will be included in any quality rating and improvement system developed by the office, pursuant to subdivision (15) of subsection (b) of section 10-500 of the general statutes. |
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| 34 | + | (d) In developing the early childhood educator compensation schedule, the office may (1) incorporate the findings and recommendations provided in "A Plan to Assist Early Education State Funded Providers to Degree Attainment and Increased Compensation" created by the office, pursuant to section 4 of public act 15-134, to create a standardized salary scale and incentive package for early childhood educators, (2) utilize state and federal funding, and (3) examine existing programs that address early childhood educator compensation and staff retention through financial incentives, such as bonuses for degree or course completion. |
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| 35 | + | |
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| 36 | + | (e) The early childhood educator compensation schedule shall be included in any quality rating and improvement system developed by the office, pursuant to subdivision (15) of subsection (b) of section 10-500 of the general statutes. |
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| 37 | + | |
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| 38 | + | (f) The office shall, within available resources, prioritize the phase-in of the early childhood educator compensation schedule in (1) the development of the office's annual budget, (2) reimbursement rates under the child care subsidy program, administered pursuant to section 17b-749 of the general statutes, and (3) any contracts for early childhood education programs to which the office is a party. |
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| 39 | + | |
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| 40 | + | (g) Not later than July 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, the office shall report on the implementation of the early childhood educator compensation schedule and data relating to the recruitment and retention of educators in early childhood education programs to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. |
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| 41 | + | |
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| 42 | + | Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) Each early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child care program or school readiness program is required, as designated by the Office of Early Childhood according to an implementation plan created by the office, to pay, in accordance with the early childhood educator compensation schedule, described in section 1 of this act, early childhood educators who are employed by such program and who meet the staff qualifications requirement, described in section 10-16p of the general statutes, except any such program may pay compensation that exceeds the level set forth in such compensation schedule. |
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