HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5028

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government & Tribal Relations

Title: An act relating to declaring September the month of the kindergartner.

Brief Description: Declaring September the month of the kindergartner.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hunt, Wilson, C. and O'Ban).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government & Tribal Relations: 3/11/19, 3/19/19 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Gregerson, Chair; Pellicciotti, Vice Chair; Walsh, Ranking Minority Member; Goehner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Dolan, Hudgins, Mosbrucker and Smith.

Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).

Background:

Kindergarten–Overview.

The kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school year typically begins in August or September each year. State-supported full-day kindergarten has been fully phased in across the state since the 2017-18 school year. Schools receiving funding for all-day kindergarten must comply with various program requirements, including providing at least 1,000 hours of instruction, providing a rich curriculum, and having connections with community early learning programs and parents. On a voluntary basis and to the extent funds are available, schools receiving all-day kindergarten state support must identify the skills, knowledge, and characteristics of kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year in order to support social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development of individual children; support early learning provider and parent involvement; and to inform instruction. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has found that kindergarten students are in a phase of development where there is growth, and transformation between the ages of 5 and 7 years is a critical and unique period of development.

Recognitions.

The state has identified various months and days that recognize certain groups, events, and individuals. For example, May of each year is declared Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and is a time when education institutions, public entities, and private organizations are encouraged to designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans. November of each year is declared Veterans' History Awareness Month and is designated as a time to celebrate the contributions to the state by veterans. In addition, during the month of October each year, each public school, including public institutions of higher education, must provide instruction, awareness, and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities.

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Summary of Bill:

September is recognized as the "Month of the Kindergartner." During September each year, elementary schools are encouraged to determine a method to celebrate new kindergartners as they begin their K-12 education.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill stems from a long lasting-student project, and the students have been diligent in trying to get this passed. This is the third year that this bill has been introduced. Declaring September the "Month of the Kindergartner" will help each kindergartner get off to a great start as they begin their years in education and start their learning process. Schools can choose how they will celebrate this month. A school can put up banners to celebrate, or they can make t-shirts with the kindergartner's year of graduation printed on them.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Hunt, prime sponsor; Graysen Reveal; Ethan Roberts; and Anthony Pagel.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.