Bill Text
 

 
 
  ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
 Fifty-sixth Legislature                  First Regular Session - 2001
 
 
                                       IN THE SENATE
 
                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1117
 
                                   BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
 
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO PREKINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM; AMENDING CHAPTER 16, TITLE  33,
  3        IDAHO  CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 33-1616, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-
  4        VIDE A PREKINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY, TO  PRO-
  5        VIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND TO PROVIDE REPORTING.
 
  6    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
 
  7        SECTION  1.  That  Chapter  16,  Title 33, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
  8    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and  des-
  9    ignated as Section 33-1616, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
 
 10        33-1616.  PREKINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM. The board of trustees of each
 11    school district may establish a prekindergarten readiness program for students
 12    who  are  eligible,  based upon their birth date, to enter kindergarten in the
 13    immediately ensuing school year. The board shall establish criteria for such a
 14    program, based upon screening tests approved by the state board of  education;
 15    provided  however, that in no event shall the program be extended to more than
 16    the lowest twenty-five percent (25%) based upon the readiness assessment.  The
 17    program  shall be provided in the month preceding the beginning of the regular
 18    school year and shall be the equivalent of forty (40) hours in length. Subject
 19    to an amount appropriated, instructional costs of the readiness program  shall
 20    be  reimbursed  by the state, with the exception of transportation which shall
 21    be reimbursed at an amount not to exceed thirty dollars ($30.00)  per  student
 22    per session. For the purpose of program reimbursement, the state department of
 23    education  shall  adopt  reporting forms, establish reporting dates, and adopt
 24    such additional guidelines and standards as necessary to accomplish  the  pro-
 25    gram  goals  of  readiness  to enter kindergarten. Districts shall apply for a
 26    prekindergarten readiness program reimbursement based on a reporting procedure
 27    developed and administered by the state department of education. Program  par-
 28    ticipation  and  effectiveness by school and district shall be presented annu-
 29    ally to the state board, the legislature and the governor.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact
 
 

                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
 
                            RS 11000

The fundamental priority of Idaho public schools is for 85% of our
students reading and comprehending at grade level when they exit
the third grade.  Students entering our "K" program arrive at
kindergarten with varied abilities and readiness for school.  This
creates a huge range making it difficult for teachers and
detrimental for students who are ready for school.  This
pre-kindergarten intervention program will narrow that disparity,
making the teacher more effective and accelerate the pursuit of our
reading goal.
 
                          FISCAL IMPACT
 
 
One million sixty-seven thousand dollars ($1,067,000)

Contact
Name: Senator Darrel Deide
Phone: 332-1345
 
 
 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE               S 1117
 
 

REVISED        REVISED           REVISED          REVISED