HI SB1384

Requires all children ages 4-6 attending public or private kindergarten to be assessed by a qualified early childhood educator before entering first grade, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

Mandates that assessments conducted by private kindergarten programs be certified by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools or the early learning council.

Requires children age 5 and older who did not attend any kindergarten program to be assessed by Department of Education personnel prior to entering first grade, with placement based on assessment results.

Allows junior kindergarten students to advance directly to grade one if they meet assessment requirements, rather than requiring progression through kindergarten.

Effective upon approval, except sections 2 and 3 take effect July 1, 2050.