La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXV-325

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CXV-325 - Kindergarten and Prekindergarten

A. All LEAs shall provide kindergarten programs for all eligible students of appropriate age. The placement of students shall be clearly communicated to parents by the school.

B. Each LEA shall provide for and offer in every school having a first grade, or in a kindergarten center, a full-day kindergarten program in accordance with standards set in this bulletin.

1. School systems may establish a registration deadline for student entry into the kindergarten program. This date shall not apply to those students previously enrolled in a kindergarten program.

C. Each LEA shall require that every child entering kindergarten for the first time be given a nationally recognized readiness screening. The results of this screening shall be used in placement and for planning instruction. The pupil progression plan for each LEA shall include criterion for placement.

1. The parent or guardian of each child shall be advised of the nature of the child's level of readiness.

2. Each LEA shall report to the LDE screening results by school on an annual basis by December 1 of each year.

D. Each LEA may develop and offer prekindergarten instruction.

1. The goal of prekindergarten instruction shall be to improve academic readiness, individual development skills and social skills.

2. Prior to implementing prekindergarten instruction, an LEA shall set forth a statement of the needs the program is intended to address, the anticipated results, the basis upon which the results are expected, an outline of the implementation steps, a detailed plan for staff usage, a detailed budget, and a plan for the evaluation of the program results.

E. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each LEA shall work to develop a mixed-provider delivery model for full-day, year-round, high-quality prekindergarten instruction to each child residing within the boundaries of the school district and obtaining four years of age by September 30 of the year in which the child enrolls for prekindergarten, in accordance with the guidelines set forth in R.S. 17:24.8.

1. As used in this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings.

a.Full-Day means at least eight hours.

b.Mixed Provider Delivery Model means a program between the school board and one or both of the following:

i. Child care providers rated proficient and above on the most recent performance rating in accordance with LAC 28:CLXVII.509, operating and overseeing programs on school property, pursuant to an agreement with a city, parish, or other local public school board.

ii. Child care providers rated proficient and above on the most recent performance rating in accordance with LAC 28:CLXVII.509, operating and overseeing private child care within the boundaries of the school district with at least one infant and one toddler classroom and offering prekindergarten seats in the private program, pursuant to an agreement with a city, parish, or other local public school board.

c.Year -Round means for a full calendar year, excluding weekends and holidays, or 260 days a year.

2. Each LEA shall submit student data in the same manner as described in LAC 28:I.1107 for all students served through prekindergarten and early childhood programs offered by the school board, including the seats provided through the mixed provider delivery model.

3. No later than March 1, 2024, and annually thereafter by March 1, each LEA shall report to the LDOE the following information.

a. The distribution of seats among each school and quality rated child care provider.

b. Input from at least the majority of providers in the community network, including how the distribution of seats has impacted the stability of infant and toddler care.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXV-325

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 31:1260 (June 2005), amended LR 39:2196 (August 2013), Amended LR 49249 (2/1/2023), Repromulgated LR 49855 (5/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:24.8, R.S. 17:151.3, and R.S. 17:391.11.