1. (1) Kindergartens are an integral part of the state's public education system.

2. (2)

   1. (a) Each LEA governing board shall provide kindergarten classes free of charge for kindergarten children residing within the district or attending a charter school.

   2. (b) Each LEA governing board shall:

      1. (i) provide a half-day kindergarten option for a student that comprises the minimum standards for half-day kindergarten that the state board establishes, in accordance with Subsection (4)(a)(iii), if the student's parent requests a half-day option;

      2. (ii)

         1. (A) inform parents of the availability of the option to register for a designated full-curriculum half-day kindergarten option at the time of all kindergarten registration, by email, posters, or other announcements when a parent requests kindergarten registration; and
         2. (B) provide the option to register for a designated half-day kindergarten option at the time of registration;
      3. (iii) provide a dedicated kindergarten class specifically designated as a half-day kindergarten class when enrollment of half-day kindergarten students at an individual school or a regional school exceeds a minimum of 18 students;
      4. (iv) when enrollment of half-day kindergarten students at an individual school exceeds a minimum of 18 students, designate the school as a half-day kindergarten provider for the improvement of recruiting teachers that prefer half-day teaching;
      5. (v) inform parents regarding the additional educational resources and opportunities available to parents who select the half-day kindergarten option; and
      6. (vi) ensure that a half-day kindergarten student who is registered in a class that includes full-day kindergarten students receives instruction that at least meets the minimum standards for half-day kindergarten that the state board establishes, in accordance with Subsection (4)(a)(iii).

   3. (c) Nothing in this Subsection (2):

      1. (i) allows an LEA governing board to require a student to participate in a full-day kindergarten program;
      2. (ii) modifies the non-compulsory status of kindergarten under Chapter 6, Part 2, Compulsory Education; or
      3. (iii) requires a student who only attends a half day of kindergarten to participate in dual enrollment under Section 53G-6-702.
3. (3) Kindergartens established under Subsection (2) shall receive state money under Title 53F, Public Education System -- Funding.

4. (4)

   1. (a) The state board shall:

      1. (i) develop and collect data from a kindergarten assessment that the board selects by rule;
      2. (ii) make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, regarding the administration of and reporting regarding the assessment described in Subsection (4)(a)(i); and
      3. (iii) establish minimum standards for half-day kindergarten.

   2. (b) An LEA shall:

      1. (i) administer the assessment described in Subsection (4)(a) to each kindergarten student; and
      2. (ii) report to the state board the results of the assessment described in Subsection (4)(b)(i) in relation to each kindergarten student in the LEA.
5. (5) The state board shall require LEAs to report average daily membership for all kindergarten students who attend kindergarten on a schedule that is equivalent in length to the schedule for grades 1 through 3 with the October 1 data described in Section 53F-2-302.

Amended by Chapter 218, 2026 General Session