BILL REQ. #:  S-1474.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/17/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to the assessment of students in state-funded full-day kindergarten classrooms; amending RCW 28A.150.315; adding a new section to chapter 43.215 RCW; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 28A.150.315 and 2010 c 236 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, funding for voluntary all-day kindergarten programs shall be phased-in beginning with schools with the highest poverty levels, defined as those schools with the highest percentages of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch support in the prior school year. During the 2011-2013 biennium, funding shall continue to be phased-in each year until full statewide implementation of all-day kindergarten is achieved in the 2017-18 school year. Once a school receives funding for the all-day kindergarten program, that school shall remain eligible for funding in subsequent school years regardless of changes in the school's percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunches as long as other program requirements are fulfilled. Additionally, schools receiving all-day kindergarten program support shall agree to the following conditions:
     (a) Provide at least a one thousand-hour instructional program;
     (b) Provide a curriculum that offers a rich, varied set of experiences that assist students in:
     (i) Developing initial skills in the academic areas of reading, mathematics, and writing;
     (ii) Developing a variety of communication skills;
     (iii) Providing experiences in science, social studies, arts, health and physical education, and a world language other than English;
     (iv) Acquiring large and small motor skills;
     (v) Acquiring social and emotional skills including successful participation in learning activities as an individual and as part of a group; and
     (vi) Learning through hands-on experiences;
     (c) Establish learning environments that are developmentally appropriate and promote creativity;
     (d) Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, identify the skills, knowledge, and characteristics of kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year in order to determine kindergarten readiness and inform instruction to meet the needs of individual students. To measure these skills, knowledge, and characteristics, kindergarten teachers must use a kindergarten assessment process as specified by the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the department of early learning, and report the results to the superintendent. The superintendent shall make the assessment process available on a voluntary basis at the beginning of the 2011-12 school year. School districts shall provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to excuse their children from participating in the kindergarten assessment process;
     (e) Demonstrate strong connections and communication with early learning community providers; and
     (((e))) (f) Participate in kindergarten program readiness activities with early learning providers and parents.
     (2) Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the superintendent of public instruction shall designate one or more school districts to serve as resources and examples of best practices in designing and operating a high-quality all-day kindergarten program. Designated school districts shall serve as lighthouse programs and provide technical assistance to other school districts in the initial stages of implementing an all-day kindergarten program. Examples of topics addressed by the technical assistance include strategic planning, developing the instructional program and curriculum, working with early learning providers to identify students and communicate with parents, and developing kindergarten program readiness activities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.215 RCW to read as follows:
     Before the implementation of a kindergarten assessment process as provided in RCW 28A.150.315, the director shall seek input from the University of Washington on a kindergarten assessment process that addresses issues such as cultural responsiveness, accommodations and usefulness for children with disabilities, parent involvement and satisfaction, potential for improving instruction, and cost benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act takes effect September 1, 2011.