H.B. 234

1

KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT AMENDMENTS
2 2008 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: LaWanna Lou Shurtliff
5 Senate Sponsor: Patricia W. Jones
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies provisions regarding the administration of kindergarten readiness
10 assessments.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . encourages schools to schedule the kindergarten readiness assessment early enough
14 before the kindergarten starting date so that a parent has time to develop the child's
15 needed skills as identified by the assessment.
16 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 53A-3-402.9, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 98
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 53A-3-402.9 is amended to read:
26 53A-3-402.9. Assessment of emerging and early reading skills -- Resources
27 provided by school districts.

28 (1) The Legislature recognizes that well-developed reading skills help:
29 (a) children to succeed in school, develop self esteem, and build positive relationships
30 with others;
31 (b) young adults to become independent learners; and
32 (c) adults to become and remain productive members of a rapidly changing
33 technology-based society.
34 (2) (a) Each potential kindergarten student, the student's parent or guardian, and
35 kindergarten personnel at the student's school may participate in an assessment of the student's
36 reading and numeric skills.
37 [(b) The assessment, if made, should take place in the spring prior to the kindergarten
38 year, but no later than June 15th prior to the school year.]
39 [(c)] (b) The State Office of Education, in cooperation with the state's school districts,
40 may develop the assessment instrument and any additional materials needed to implement and
41 supplement the assessment program.
42 (3) The potential kindergarten student's teacher may use the assessment in planning and
43 developing an instructional program to meet the student's identified needs.
44 (4) (a) Each school is encouraged to schedule the assessment early enough before the
45 kindergarten starting date so that a potential kindergarten student's parent or guardian has time
46 to develop the child's needed skills as identified by the assessment.
47 [(4)] (b) Based on the assessment under Subsection (2), the school shall provide the
48 potential student's parent or guardian with appropriate resource materials to assist [them] the
49 parent or guardian at home in the student's literacy development.




Legislative Review Note
as of 8-24-07 9:15 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel