(1) (a) The general assembly finds and declares that: (I) Rigorous research proves that full-day kindergarten is an effective way of improving a child's academic performance; (II) Research shows that children who have academic success are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to graduate from high school and enter an institution of higher education, leading them to higher-paying jobs that provide for a strong economy in the state; (III) Studies show that full-day kindergarten educational programs address achievement gap issues and promote student achievement; (IV) All children in Colorado deserve the chance to attend a full day of kindergarten, as the benefits of full-day kindergarten continue throughout a child's educational experience and set the tone for future academic success. (b) The general assembly further finds and declares that while the benefits of full-day kindergarten educational programs are evident, determining an approach to phase in full-day kindergarten educational programs is the first step toward potentially offering full-day kindergarten educational programs statewide. The development of a plan by each local board of education that is not offering a full-day kindergarten educational program as of the 2019-20 school year to phase in a full-day kindergarten educational program at the district level is essential to ensure that the appropriate mechanisms are in place to support and maintain high- quality, full-day kindergarten educational programs in Colorado. (2) Each local board of education that is not offering a full-day kindergarten educational program as of the 2019-20 school year shall develop a plan to potentially phase in a full-day kindergarten educational program in the school district. In developing the plan, each local board shall consider the following: (a) Available space in existing school district facilities for a full-day kindergarten educational program; (b) The need and cost of new school district facilities necessary to offer a full-day kindergarten educational program, including but not limited to the cost associated with construction, acquisition, reconfiguration, or renovation of new or existing facilities; (c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2019.) (d) Professional development and staffing needs; (e) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2019.) (f) A plan for parent and community outreach and enrollment processes; and (g) The anticipated enrollment in a full-day kindergarten educational program, including the percentage of eligible children in the school district that will choose to enroll in the program. (3) Each local board of education that is not offering a full-day kindergarten educational program as of the 2019-20 school year shall submit its plan to phase in a full-day kindergarten educational program to the department of education on or before July 1, 2020. A school district that has developed a full-day kindergarten plan within the five years before July 1, 2020, may submit the previously developed plan to the department in lieu of developing a plan pursuant to this section. (4) Nothing in this section: (a) Requires a child to attend a full day of kindergarten; or (b) Prohibits a school district from offering a half-day kindergarten educational program. (c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2019.)
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