SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2865
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. |
As of February 27, 2020
Title: An act relating to informing families of kindergarten readiness standards.
Brief Description: Informing families of kindergarten readiness standards.
Sponsors: House Committee on Human Services & Early Learning (originally sponsored by Representatives Chambers, Shewmake, Dent, McCaslin, Callan, Gildon, Senn and Eslick).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/20, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/24/20.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background: Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills. To the extent funds are available, Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) must be administered at the beginning of the school year to all students enrolled in state-funded, full-day kindergarten. According to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), teachers observe and take an inventory of each child's developing skills in six areas:
social-emotional,
physical,
cognitive,
language,
literacy, and
mathematics.
Parents may excuse their children from participating in the inventory.
Child Profile Health Promotion Materials. According to the Department of Health (DOH), this system sends child health and safety information to all families with young children in the state by mail and email. Each mailing has age-specific reminders about well-child checkups and immunizations and information on growth and development, nutrition, safety, and other health topics.
Summary of Bill: By September 1, 2020, OSPI must develop a guide for parents and caregivers outlining ways they can help their child become socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively prepared for kindergarten. The guide must be annually reviewed and updated.
By July 15th of each year, OSPI must make the current guide available on its website in the top ten languages spoken by families. OSPI must create an electronic brochure of the guide that includes the website and provide the electronic brochure at no cost to certain state agencies.
Certain state agencies, including Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Health Care Authority (HCA), and DOH, must annually provide the guide to all known parents, caregivers of dependent children in out-of-home care, and guardians of three and four-year-old children, and:
DCYF must provide the guide to child care providers serving three and four-year-old children;
DSHS must provide the guide to those eligible for and receiving public assistance;
HCA must provide the guide to those enrolled in the Apple Health for Kids program; and
DOH must include the guide in the Child Profile Health Promotion materials.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available (Partial).
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Many parents are not aware of the developmental standards that help make children ready for kindergarten. If parents are aware of these standards, they can work on these skills in the years leading up to kindergarten. OSPI is working on improving the experience for families as children transition into kindergarten. This bill directs the development of a resource that would help this effort.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Kelly Chambers, Prime Sponsor; Karma Hugo, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.