State use of funds

A State that receives a grant under this Act shall ensure that grant funds are used to carry out the following: (1) To provide scholarships to cover the costs of tuition, fees, materials, transportation, paid substitutes, and release time for early childhood educators employed in an early childhood education program to pursue a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a closely related field. (2) To support early childhood educators employed in an early childhood education program, and who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a field other than early childhood education or a closely related field, to attain a credential, licensure, or endorsement that demonstrates competence in early childhood education. (3) To increase compensation for early childhood educators who are enrolled and making progress toward a degree in early childhood education and to provide parity of compensation upon completion of such degree and retention in the early childhood education program. (4) To provide ongoing professional development opportunities to early childhood educators and teacher assistants employed in an early childhood education program that address— (A) all areas of child development and learning (cognitive, social, emotional, and physical); (B) teacher-child interaction; (C) family engagement; and (D) cultural competence for working with a diversity of children (including children with special needs and dual language learners) and families.