HB 1510 would implement a standardized assessment of kids in state-funded all-day kindergarten in the 2012-13 school year.
Speaking in favor of the bill were bill sponsor Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Shoreline, Rep. Marcie Maxwell, D-Renton, and Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington. All spoke in support of the assessments, and how a uniform assessment would help make a difference in making sure teachers know the skills and abilities of incoming kindergarteners.
Rep. Bruce Dammeier, R-Puyallup, said he would be voting against for two reasons: It is a new program, rolling out a new requirement on school districts, and it has a $1.5 million fiscal note. There is nothing that prevents a school district or kindergarten teacher to do this voluntarily. His concerns were echoed by Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, and Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw. Rep. Norma Smith, R-Whidbey Island, said this was not about the idea so much as the fiscal impact and requiring districts to do something they don't have the funding to do.
Kagi said that the private sector is willing to pay for 1/3rd of the cost of the program and that there was an expectation that they should be able to measure the success of the early learning (ECEAP) program.
The bill passed 59-38.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
