Kindergarten Readiness Planning

In the 2009-2011 state operating budget, the Legislature provided $50,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 and $50,000 in FY 2011 for the Department of Early Learning (DEL) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) "to identify and test a kindergarten assessment process and tools in geographically diverse school districts." This state funding depends upon an equal match from a private source.

A kindergarten assessment is a way to learn what children know and are able to do when they enter kindergarten. It could include a variety of ways of gathering information about children’s abilities and may use information collected from teachers, families and caregivers. The information collected in the assessment could be used to ensure schools offer appropriate classroom instruction, to support transition and alignments between early education and K-12 systems, and to inform statewide planning for ongoing investments in early learning.

DEL and OSPI — in consultation with our private partner, Thrive by Five Washington — have begun conversations about how to identify a useful, culturally appropriate assessment process and tools. All school districts in our state have been contacted to solicit their best current practices in kindergarten assessment and processes in place in other states are being gathered. Interested Washington school districts will be able to participate in testing the assessment process on a voluntary basis.

A report is due to the Legislature and Governor no later than January 15, 2011. Updates to this work and opportunities for public input will be included on this Web page.

The 2008 Legislature provided $150,000 for the Department of Early Learning (DEL) and partners to evaluate current kindergarten readiness assessments and report to the Governor and Legislature options for the implementation of "a statewide kindergarten entry assessment." That report was delivered to the Governor and Legislature on December 15, 2008.