§24.8. Prekindergarten programs

A. Each city, parish, or other local public school board may develop and offer prekindergarten instruction. The youngest age at which a child may enter prekindergarten provided for by this Subsection shall be two years younger than the age required for that child to enter first grade as provided by R.S. 17:222(A).

B.(1) The governing authority of any approved nonpublic elementary school may develop and offer prekindergarten instruction. The youngest age at which a child may enter prekindergarten provided for by this Subsection shall be three years old by September thirtieth of the year in which the child enrolls in prekindergarten.

(2) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Nonpublic School Commission, shall adopt rules and regulations to protect the health and safety of three-year-old children who attend prekindergarten at an approved nonpublic elementary school.

C. The goal of prekindergarten instruction shall be to improve academic readiness, individual development skills, and social skills. Prior to implementing prekindergarten instruction, a city, parish, or other local public school board and the governing authority of an approved nonpublic elementary school shall set forth a statement of the needs the program is intended to address, the anticipated results, and the basis upon which such results are expected, an outline of implementation steps, a detailed plan for staff usage, a detailed budget, and a plan for evaluation of the program results and an explanation thereof.

Acts 1988, No. 718, §1, eff. July 18, 1988; Acts 2011, No. 102, §1.