ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SB 1082: full-day kindergarten; instruction requirements

PRIME SPONSOR: Senator Allen S, LD 6

BILL STATUS: Chaptered

Abstract

Relating to requirements for full-day kindergarten.

Provisions

1. Requires voluntary tuition-free kindergarten instruction offered by a LEA for at least 2.5 hours per school day to:

a. Meet or exceed the academic standards prescribed by SBE;

b. Incorporate play as an instructional strategy;

c. Be academically meaningful; and

d. Provide active learning enrichment. (Sec. 1)

2. Permits the parent of a kindergarten student to choose either half-day or full-day kindergarten instruction. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes a conforming change. (Sec. 1)

Current Law

Elementary and unified school districts are required to establish kindergarten programs unless the district governing board files an exemption with ADE.

A district that has a kindergarten program is required to offer half-day kindergarten that provides academically meaningful instruction in each of the academic standards adopted by SBE. LEAs may offer full-day kindergarten for eligible students, but must allow parents to choose either half-day or full-day kindergarten. A district that offers full-day kindergarten is required to provide academically meaningful half-day kindergarten instruction in every school in the district that has enough students to fill a half-day kindergarten class (A.R.S. §§ 15-703 and 15-901.02).

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Fifty-third Legislature                  SB 1082

Second Regular Session                               Version 4: Chaptered

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