BILL REQ. #:  S-1211.3 

Read first time 02/05/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to kindergarten transition plans; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall work with the department of early learning to develop kindergarten transition plans. This shall include creating the format and content of the plans and developing training for using the plans.
     (2) The purpose of the kindergarten transition plans is to help kindergarten teachers, parents, and early learning providers work together to understand and plan for the social and academic development of kindergarten students. The plans shall be based upon research that acknowledges all aspects of development, including cultural differences among children. The plans shall help support the smooth transitions from early learning to kindergarten. The plans shall be developed to be used by parents, early learning and child care providers, preschools, and kindergartens.
     (3) The plans shall be developed for use, to the extent possible, beginning in September of 2007, but not later than the 2008-09 school year. The plans may initially be implemented in demonstration sites under the private-public partnership in RCW 43.215.070, in schools receiving state support for all-day kindergarten, and in primary-level demonstration projects.
     (4) Kindergarten transition plans shall be implemented in public school districts across the state not later than the 2009-10 school year and shall also be available for voluntary use in child care, preschool, and other early learning programs.
     (5) The superintendent of public instruction shall seek input on the development of the plans from the same categories of people who were on the Washington early learning council or would be on an early learning advisory council created during the 2007 legislative session, and other representatives from the K-12 community.
     (6) Upon completion of the demonstration sites, the superintendent of public instruction, working with the department of early learning and the private-public partnership in RCW 43.215.070, shall report its findings and recommendations for statewide implementation to the education committees of the legislature.