Senator Bill Jones "requested the special Joint Education Committee meeting to begin discussing legislation he plans to introduce at the Regular Session of the State Legislature this spring to establish a quality pre-school education program for four year olds in Louisiana. Basically, the draft legislation encourages local school systems to voluntarily establish and offer to all four year olds in their areas an early education program that meets uniform state quality standards. The state would pay for the at-risk children served. Local school systems would have the option of charging tuition to families with an ability to pay and could also work cooperatively with existing early childhood education programs such as Head Start to establish the comprehensive program."

"Senator Jones encourages citizens and interested groups and organizations to offer suggestions and ideas to improve the draft legislation on early childhood education. No official action will be taken on the proposal until the regular legislative session which does not begin until late March."  

-excerpts from news release issued by the Senate Office of Communication 02/19/2001