PA HB829

Requires all Pennsylvania school districts to establish and maintain full-day kindergarten for children ages 3-5, changing kindergarten from optional to mandatory and expanding from half-day to full-day programs beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Creates a Full-Day Kindergarten Implementation Advisory Committee chaired by the Secretary of Education, with 20+ members including school board representatives, teachers, early childhood experts, and legislators, to develop a statewide implementation plan by January 1, 2026.

Allows school districts to satisfy the requirement by operating kindergarten individually, jointly with other districts in the same intermediate unit, or by contracting with approved providers including Head Start programs and private providers approved by the Department of Education.

Sets program standards requiring maximum class sizes of 18 children, staff-to-child ratios of no more than 10:1, and state-certified kindergarten teachers for all approved providers.

Authorizes free transportation for kindergarten students including those in full-day programs, permits parents to enroll children in full-day kindergarten starting at age 3, and provides for professional development funding for kindergarten teachers.