PURPOSE: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is authorized by the Early Childhood Development Act to administer a program of grants to local public school districts for the provision of early childhood screening, parent education, and programs for developmentally delayed children. This rule sets forth the general provisions governing those programs. This rule incorporates by reference the Early Childhood Development Act Administrative Manual.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text of the rule is printed here.

1. (1) All programs and projects carried out by school districts under the Early Childhood Development Act (ECDA) shall be conducted in conformity with—

   1. (A) The school district’s annual application for district program approval under the ECDA, pursuant to applicable state laws and regulations; and
   2. (B) The state Early Childhood Development Act Administrative Manual, revised August 2015, which is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule as published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (department) and is available at the Early Learning Section, 205 Jefferson Street, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 or on the department’s website. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions. The Early Childhood Development Act Administrative Manual interprets state statutory requirements for the programs and establishes program management procedures consistent with state law and practice.
2. (2) Any rule or interpretation of a rule promulgated by the State Board of Education in exercising its responsibilities under the statute may be waived by the assistant commissioner, Office of Early and Extended Learning, upon his/her determination that a situation exists in which the application of the rule or interpretation would work an extreme hardship upon the affected party, or would work to the detriment of the intended beneficiaries of the program.

AUTHORITY: sections 178.691–178.699, RSMo 2000 and Supp. 2013, and section 161.092, RSMo Supp. 2014.* This rule previously filed as 5 CSR 50-270.010. Original rule filed April 4, 1985, effective Sept. 3, 1985. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Feb. 27, 1992, effective Sept. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed June 29, 1995, effective Jan. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed May 29, 1998, effective Dec. 30, 1998. Amended: Filed July 28, 2000, effective Feb. 28, 2001. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 2002, effective April 30, 2003. Amended: Filed Jan. 16, 2008, effective Aug. 30, 2008. Amended: Filed June 10, 2010, effective Dec. 30, 2010. Moved to 5 CSR 20-600.110, effective Aug. 16, 2011. Amended: Filed Feb. 27, 2013, effective Sept. 30, 2013. Amended: Filed May 28, 2015, effective Dec. 30, 2015. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014; 178.691, RSMo 1984; 178.693, RSMo 1984, amended 1985, 1993; 178.695, RSMo 1984, amended 1992; 178.697, RSMo 1984, amended 1993, 2010; 178.698, RSMo 1993; and 178.699, RSMo 1984.