Bill > SB5769

This bill addresses the transition to kindergarten program in Washington state, renaming what was previously called transitional kindergarten and establishing it as a formal program with specific guidelines. The bill outlines that the program aims to help eligible children who need additional preparation for kindergarten, explicitly stating that it is not part of the state's basic education program. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will administer the program and develop rules for implementation, with key requirements including enrollment limitations for children who are at least four years old by August 31st and who would benefit from additional kindergarten preparation. Schools must prioritize enrolling children from families with the lowest incomes and those most in need of additional preparation. The program mandates the use of the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills, requires each enrolled child to have a statewide student identifier, and prohibits charging tuition or excluding children based solely on disabilities. Funding will be calculated using existing distribution formulas, with a caveat that beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the number of enrolled students may not exceed the amount specified in the state's appropriations act. The bill also includes a provision for OSPI to develop a phased expansion plan, prioritizing communities with the highest unmet needs, and requires a report to the legislature by December 1, 2026, detailing recommendations for future program implementation.