Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 203, sub-c. III is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER III

EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTANT

§4261.__Early childhood consultant position

1.__Establishment.__The position of early childhood consultant is established within the department.__A person filling the position of early childhood consultant is referred to in this subchapter as "consultant."__The commissioner shall supervise the consultant.

2.__Qualifications.__The consultant must have a bachelor's degree in education in the specialty area of early childhood and early elementary education and a minimum of 4 years of professional-level experience in this area.__The consultant must have extensive knowledge of the research in early literacy and language acquisition, brain development and early childhood education.__The consultant may be required to hold the appropriate teaching or educational administration certificate issued by the department.

§4262.__Duties

The consultant shall provide statewide leadership, consultation and direction for early childhood and early elementary efforts and programs.__The consultant shall:

1.__Education initiatives.__Promote and carry out key early childhood and early elementary education initiatives;

2.__Research.__Keep informed of and disseminate current research on early childhood literacy, symbolic development and brain development as well as effective, exemplary education practice to ensure the readiness of young students to meet standards of achievement based on the statewide system of learning results;

3.__Optimum growth.__Develop information, resources and program models for local schools and school units to implement innovative approaches at the preschool and primary grade levels to support the optimum growth of young children;

4.__Literacy achievement.__Assist school systems with the examination of literacy rates, recommend improvement strategies and provide guidance to support literacy achievement;