From our news partners at The Seattle Times: With additional state money this year, many school districts in the state are increasing the number of slots for free all-day kindergarten.
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Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian Kindergarten already is in session at Harney Elementary School in Vancouver, where kids take part this summer in the Jump Start program |
Thanks to pressure from a successful school-funding lawsuit against Washington state, and a $50 million investment by the Legislature, twice as many children will be in state-paid, full-day kindergarten this fall.
The change affects children in 269 schools in 38 of the state's 39 counties. The new money is being distributed according to poverty rates, so schools with the most kids who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch are the first to get money for free all-day kindergarten.
With the money aimed at specific schools, only some of the students in most districts will benefit from the new state dollars. But some districts are also using local dollars to expand free, full-day kindergarten for all kids.
Other school districts have gone in the opposite direction — turning away the state money because they don't have enough room for more classes or the money to buy portable classrooms.
In fall 2012, 22 percent of the state's kindergartners were in all-day sessions paid for by the state. This fall, 44 percent will get the extra schooling without having to pay tuition. The Legislature will need to find an additional $100 million or so by fall 2017 to get every kindergartner in free all-day school.
