File:  IHBIB - Primary/Preprimary Education

Kindergarten programs

The district shall establish and maintain a kindergarten program or programs. A kindergarten program may be a half-day or full-day program, and the district shall receive state funding for students enrolled in these programs on a half-day or full-day basis, in accordance with state law.

Preschool programs

All district preschool programs shall comply with the rules established by the Department of Education and with the rules for child care centers established by the Department of Human Services.

Children with disabilities

In meeting its obligation to offer an individualized program for children with disabilities at age three, the district shall provide a special education preschool program at no cost to students who have been identified as children with disabilities pursuant to applicable law.

Colorado preschool program

In addition, when the district receives funding from the state to do so, the district shall provide a preschool program as part of the Colorado Preschool Program for three-, four- and five-year-old children who lack learning readiness due to significant family risk factors, who are in need of language development or who are receiving services from the Department of Human Services as neglected or dependent children. All enrolling three-year-olds must lack overall learning readiness that is attributable to at least three of the significant family risk factors.

Parents/guardians wishing to have their children participate in this program shall make application to the district. Participants then shall be selected on the basis of greatest need.

Adopted:  June 23, 1998

Revised:  July 23, 2015

LEGAL REFS.:  C.R.S. 22-20-101 et seq. (Exceptional Children´s Educational Act)

C.R.S. 22-28-101 et seq. (Colorado Preschool Program Act)

C.R.S. 22-32-119 (1) (requires establishment of kindergarten program)

C.R.S. 22-43.7-201 et seq. (full-day kindergarten capital construction funding)

C.R.S. 22-44-118 (full-day kindergarten reserve)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (9.5) (definition of preschool enrollment)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10) (funding for kindergarten)

C.R.S. 22-54-108.5 (mill levy to fund full-day kindergarten)

C.R.S. 22-54-130, 131 (full-day kindergarten funding)

C.R.S. 26-6-102 (1.5) (definition of child care center)

1 CCR 301-8, Rules 2220-R-1.00 et seq. (Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children´s Educational Act)

CROSS REFS.:  BDFC*, Preschool Council

IHBA, Special Education Programs for Students with Disabilities