Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2586
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Encouraging kindergarten outreach.
Sponsors: Representatives Sullivan, Priest, Chase, Kelley, Maxwell, Carlyle, Simpson, Seaquist, Goodman, Kenney, Morrell, Haigh and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/19/10
Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).
Background:
School Day and Hour Requirements.
Currently, a school district's basic educational program must consist of a minimum of 180 school days per school year in such grades from one through 12 as are offered by the district. For kindergarten, a district must offer 180 half-days or its equivalent of instruction. Hourly instructional requirements are also set in law, at least 450 instructional hours for kindergarten and a district-wide annual average of 1000 instructional hours for grades one through 12. Schools receiving all-day kindergarten program support must agree to provide at least 1000 instructional hours.
Effective September 1, 2011, the minimum instructional program of basic education offered by school districts is as follows:
180 school days per school year, with 180 half-days for kindergarten, which is increased to 180 full days beginning with schools having the highest percentages of low-income students;
a district-wide average of 1,000 instructional hours across all grade levels, to be increased according to an implementation schedule adopted by the Legislature to 1,080 hours in grades seven through 12 and 1,000 instructional hours in grades one through six; and
450 instructional hours in kindergarten, to be increased to 1,000 hours as full-day kindergarten is phased-in.
"Instructional hours" means:
those hours students are provided the opportunity to engage in educational activity planned by and under the direction of school district staff, as directed by the administration and board of directors of the district, inclusive of intermissions for class changes, recess, and teacher/parent-guardian conferences that are planned and scheduled by the district for the purpose of discussing students' educational needs or progress, and exclusive of time actually spent for meals.
The State Board of Education (SBE) has authority to grant waivers from these requirements but its authority is limited. Waivers may be granted to implement a plan for restructuring the educational program to improve student achievement. Waivers are also permitted to implement a local plan to provide for an effective education system for all students, including alternative ways to provide effective educational programs for students who experience difficulty with the regular education program. A limited number of waivers from the 180-day requirement may also be granted to certain size districts for purposes of economy and efficiency. With respect to waivers from the 180-day requirement, the district must assure that it will continue to meet the annual average 1000 hours of instructional time.
Summary of Bill:
A school district may submit a waiver application to the State Board of Education (SBE) to count hours of "kindergarten outreach" for up to 5 percent of the minimum instructional hours required for kindergarten students. 5 percent is equal to 22.5 hours for a half-day 450 hour kindergarten program and 45 hours for a full-day 1000 hour kindergarten program.
"Kindergarten outreach" includes home visits, special educational events for both parents and students, and classes or workshops for parents. The purpose of this outreach is to encourage, support, and assist parents and support students' successful transition into the K-12 system. Outreach activities should be structured to be as accessible as possible to the maximum number of parents. Parental participation in these outreach activities is optional.
The SBE is charged with developing a procedure for receiving and reviewing these applications. A district's application may be for some or all of the kindergarten programs in the district, and for half-day or full-day programs. Home visits must be included. The inclusion of additional kindergarten outreach activities is optional. The type, purpose, and estimated hours of each type of activity must be specified in the application. Outreach activities must be conducted by certificated and classified staff who would otherwise be providing the kindergarten instruction. Other school staff may participate in the activities.
An application approved by the SBE may be in effect for no more than three school years, after which a school district must reapply.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.