2261-S.E AMS PFLU S3098.1

ESHB 2261  - S AMD TO S AMD (S-3077.2/09)409
     By Senator Pflug

NOT ADOPTED 04/16/2009

     On page 7, beginning on line 5 of the amendment, after "school" strike "year:
     (a) For
" and insert "year: For"

     On page 7, beginning on line 22 of the amendment, strike all of subsection (b)

     On page 8, beginning on line 23 of the amendment, after "kindergarten" strike all material through "However," on line 25, and insert ": PROVIDED, That"

     On page 9, beginning on line 20 of the amendment, after "enrolled" strike all material through "28A.150.220))" on line 23, and insert ", based upon one full school year of one hundred eighty days, except that for kindergartens one full school year shall be one hundred eighty half days of instruction, or the equivalent as provided in RCW 28A.150.220"

     Beginning on page 16, line 27 of the amendment, strike all of section 107 and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 107   (1) The legislature finds that a critical factor in a child's success in school is that the child begin school ready to learn. The legislature further finds that due to a variety of factors, disadvantaged children are at risk of not being sufficiently ready to begin school. Therefore, the legislature intends to review all-day kindergarten and early learning programs to determine whether these programs provide evidence that they are beneficial for at-risk students and whether the programs should be included in the definition of basic education.
     (2) By December 1, 2010, the state board of education shall report to the legislative education and fiscal committees on the following:
     (a) A review of the school and student performance in school districts that have state-funded all-day kindergarten programs, whether there is evidence that the programs have improved student's academic achievement, and whether all-day kindergarten should be included in the definition of basic education;
     (b) A review of early childhood programs for disadvantaged children who are at risk of not being ready to be successful in school, whether there is evidence that the programs have improved student readiness and academic achievement, whether early learning should be included in the definition of basic education; and
     (c) Recommendations for a targeted assistance program for students who are ages birth to five who are at risk of being unsuccessful academically in school."

     Beginning on page 27, line 28 of the amendment, strike all of section 115

ESHB 2261  - S AMD TO S AMD (S-3077.2/09)
     By Senator Pflug

NOT ADOPTED 04/16/2009

     On page 65, line 3 of the title amendment, after "28A.150.260," strike "28A.150.315,"

EFFECT:  Removes all-day kindergarten from the definition of basic education.
     Removes the language that the Legislature has an intent to make early learning part of basic education.
     Removes the working group that is created to develop the basic education program of early learning.
     Adds the requirement for the State Board of Education to recommend to the Legislature whether the programs should be part of the program of basic education and recommend a targeted assistance program for students who are ages birth to five who are at risk of being unsuccessful academically in school.

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