(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the effectiveness of preschool programs can be increased through improved state administration, technical assistance to provider agencies, and monitoring.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature:
(1) That the Superintendent of Public Instruction develop clear, consistent, and appropriate regulations for preschool programs to replace policy guidelines that are not subject to the public hearing process, often inconsistent, and without the force of law.
(2) That the department make better use of staff with direct field experience in early childhood programs.
(3) That better criteria be developed for the awarding, evaluating, and renewal of preschool contracts.
(4) That improvements be made in the method of reimbursing preschool providers.
(5) That increased effort be made to provide preschool program operators with technical assistance in meeting their contractual obligations.