1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "School readiness assessment" means a preschool assessment that:

      1. (i) measures literacy and numeracy; and
      2. (ii) beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, measures growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.

   2. (b) "School readiness program" means a preschool program:

      1. (i) in which a student participates in the year before the student is expected to enroll in kindergarten; and
      2. (ii) that receives funding under Title 35A, Chapter 15, Preschool Programs.
2. (2) The state board shall develop or select a school readiness assessment.

3. (3) A school readiness program shall:

   1. (a) administer to each student who participates in the school readiness program the school readiness assessment at the beginning and end of the student's participation in the school readiness program; and
   2. (b) report the results of the assessments described in Subsection (3)(a) to the state board.
4. (4) A private care provider or an LEA on behalf of a school that is not participating in the High Quality Readiness Grant Program, as described in Section 35A-15-301 or 35A-15-302, may submit school readiness assessment data to the state board.

Amended by Chapter 525, 2024 General Session