SB 837, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2014, would instead require each school district or charter school that offers kindergarten to offer transitional kindergarten, and would require a child that meets specified minimum age requirements to be admitted to transitional kindergarten.

The bill would authorize the average daily attendance of a school district to include the average daily attendance of pupils enrolled in transitional kindergarten and would require transitional kindergarten to receive a per pupil base grant for apportionment purposes, as specified.

The bill would require transitional kindergarten to be taught by teachers and associate teachers who meet certain requirements, and would require transitional kindergarten to include specified elements that promote integration and alignment with the early learning and child care system and the elementary education system.

The bill would require a school district or charter school offering transitional kindergarten to provide public notice of the availability of transitional kindergarten and to administer transitional kindergarten, as specified.

The bill would authorize a school district or charter school administering transitional kindergarten to contract with a public local agency or private local provider, or both, to participate in the delivery of transitional kindergarten.

The bill would require a private local provider participating in the delivery of transitional kindergarten to be considered a public school employer, as defined, for certain purposes.

By requiring school districts and charter schools that offer kindergarten to offer transitional kindergarten, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

Hearing: 04/09/2014 9:00 am, John L. Burton Hearing Room (4203)