ADE Director's Communication Memo Form


Memo Number : SI-04-002

Date Created : 07/08/2003

Attention:

Superintendents
Co-op Directors
Elementary Principals
other: Curriculum Coordinators

Type of Memo: Informational
Response Required: No
   
Section:   School Improvement and Professional Development - Ms. Janinne Riggs
Subject:
Kindergarten Assessment Guidelines

Regulatory Authority:
Act 1552 of 2001

Contact Person:
Dee Cox

Phone Number:
501-682-4379

E-mail:
dcox@arkedu.k12.ar.us

Act 1552 of 2001 requires the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) to develop and conduct readiness testing for children entering kindergarten. A committee of early childhood educators, literacy and math specialists, higher education representatives, and ADE staff developed the attached ADE DRAFT Guidelines and Indicators. Schools will follow the Guidelines for Act 1552 of 2001, which will be amended, based on the Rules and Regulations governing Act 1467 of 2003.

Act 1552 of 2001 requires all schools to assess kindergarten students. All children shall be assessed prior to the child’s first day of school and those results will be communicated to the child’s parents before the child’s first day of school. The ADE recommends that on or before August 2003, schools use research-based assessments/tools in assessing entering students and share a copy of the assessment results with the child’s parents. The individual assessment shall be used as an instructional tool for all entering kindergarten students in determining the school readiness skills. It is not a means to limit entrance requirements for kindergarten students. The Rules and Regulations governing Act 1467 of 2003 will amend the kindergarten assessment requirement of Act 1552 of 2001.

The ADE has selected thirty-six (36) schools to pilot the Kindergarten Readiness Indicators Checklist (KRIC) in the 2003-2004 school year. Beginning in the 2004-2005 school year, the KRIC will be a part of the Kindergarten Readiness Guidelines and all schools will address the KRIC. The KRIC will be a tool allowing all entering kindergarten students, parents, and teachers to reference statewide kindergarten entrance skills.

Attachments:

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