Two modest recommendations of Superintendent of Instruction Jack O’Connell’s P-16 Council are in bill form. Both pertain to the pre-kindergarten, the “P” in P-16.

AB 2579, sponsored by Assemblyman David Jones, D-Sacramento, would consolidate money for state-funded preschool programs. SB 1629, sponsored by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, would create a preschool quality commission that would set standards for programs educating three and four year olds. Both are supported by children’s advocates, including Preschool California and Children Now.

The two bills are related, though they don’t appear to be at first glance.

There currently are five streams of state preschool funding, creating confusion and extra paperwork for preschools. They also pay different rates. Combining the funding would let the state better target the money, say, for all-day programs for students who need it most. But it also would eventually enable the state to set rational rates based on the quality of the programs. That’s where Steinberg’s bill comes in. The commission would define what makes a good pre-school program, including staff to child ratios and activities that prepare kids for kindergarten. Parents could use the criteria when choosing a school. And the state could set reimbursements based on following the standards.

There’s no extra money for pre-school now, but both bills would leave the state in a better position to spend money wisely when the Legislature gets serous about making preschool universal.

Steinberg’s bill will be heard on Thursday in the Senate. Jones’s bill has been blocked for now. But, since it doesn’t require new money, advocates hope it will be set free soon and move forward.