The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards and requirements for transition to kindergarten programs. The chapter is intended to ensure that transition to kindergarten programs serve eligible students of all abilities who need additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten and who lack access to other early learning group settings. The rules in this chapter establish expectations for local education agencies in implementing and administering transition to kindergarten programs in accordance with minimum standards and requirements established by the office of superintendent of public instruction.

The authority for this chapter is under RCW 28A.300.072, which requires the office of superintendent of public instruction to establish rules concerning transition to kindergarten programs.

This chapter establishes the minimum administrative requirements and program standards for implementing and administering quality transition to kindergarten programs under RCW 28A.300.072 and this chapter.

A transition to kindergarten program may be implemented and administered by the following local education agencies, in accordance with RCW 28A.300.072:

(1) Common school districts;

(2) State tribal compact schools authorized under chapter 28A.715 RCW;

(3) Beginning in school year 2023-24, only charter schools authorized under RCW 28A.710.080(2) may implement and administer a transition to kindergarten program.

"Eligible local education agency" means a local education agency authorized to administer a transition to kindergarten program under WAC 392-425-015.

"Screening process and tool" means using one or more instruments or methods of assessing and measuring the ability and need of an individual student.

An eligible local education agency planning to implement and administer a transition to kindergarten program must submit notification of intent to the office of superintendent of public instruction no later than June 1st before the school year begins. The notice must be provided through a process established by the office of superintendent of public instruction.

An eligible local education agency must conduct a local needs assessment before beginning or expanding a transition to kindergarten program that considers the existing availability and affordability of local and local tribal early learning providers in accordance with the minimum standards and requirements established by the office of superintendent of public instruction.

A person serving as a teacher in a transition to kindergarten program must hold a valid teaching certificate in accordance with Title 181 WAC. Certificated educators with experience in early childhood education are recommended. Paraeducators for transition to kindergarten programs must have met the minimum hiring requirements and must make progress on the paraeducator certificate program in accordance with Title 179 WAC.

(1) Children meeting the following criteria are eligible to participate in a transition to kindergarten program offered by an eligible local education agency:

(a) A child who has been determined, by the local education agency, to benefit from additional preparation for kindergarten through a screening process and tool; and

(b) A child who is at least four years old by August 31st of the school year in which they enroll in a transition to kindergarten program.

(2) In determining student eligibility and admitting students to a transition to kindergarten program, local education agencies must:

(a) Give priority to children most in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten, as demonstrated through a screening process and tool.

(b) Give priority to children with the lowest family income not otherwise eligible and not enrolled in another local program.

(c) Not exclude, nor establish a policy to prohibit from participation, an eligible child due only to the presence of a disability.

(d) Not charge tuition or other fees from state-funded eligible students for enrollment in a transition to kindergarten program.

(1) Eligible local education agencies offering a transition to kindergarten program must offer the program during the local education agency's school year in accordance with the minimum standards and requirements established by the office of superintendent of public instruction.

(a) The program may begin after the first day of the local education agency's school year.

(b) If a partial-year program is being offered, it must begin by January 31st of the school year.

(c) The program must conclude by the end of the school year.

(2) Transition to kindergarten programs must be offered as an all-day program.

Based on individual student need, a district may allow a child to participate in a transition to kindergarten program as a part-time student (partial day). A part-time student will be counted as a partial full-time equivalent student in accordance with WAC 392-121-122.

The local education agency administering a transition to kindergarten program is subject to the apportionment procedures under chapters 392-121 and 392-122 WAC.

In accordance with RCW 28A.655.080, the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills (WaKIDS) must be administered at the beginning of the program. Additionally, the WaKIDS whole-child assessment must be administered at least one more time during the school year.

An eligible local education agency planning to implement and administer a transition to kindergarten program is required to adhere to the minimum standards and requirements established by the office of public instruction, as developed by the office of superintendent of public instruction, related to:

(1) Best practices for site readiness of facilities that are used for the program;

(2) Developmentally appropriate curricula designed to assist in maintaining high quality programs in accordance with RCW 28A.320.230; and

(3) Professional development opportunities.