DEL, OSPI announce WaKIDS pilot sites

Incoming kindergarteners from Anacortes to Quincy will be part of the pilot of the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) during school year 2010-2011! Click to see a list of all participating school districts and schools and learn more about the pilot. Districts were notified earlier this week.

UPDATE (5:10 p.m. June 18): A little Friday afternoon brain fog caused us to post the applicant list, not the selected pilot site list. The current, final list is what's now available at the above link.

We are excited that so many school districts chose to apply. It shows the real and deep commitment in our state to our youngest learners. In the end, each of the 54 districts that applied are represented in the pilot. By being part of the pilot, districts have the opportunity to help inform the WaKIDS process. We are piloting WaKIDS to learn more about how best to support a smooth transition for children from the first five years of life into kindergarten and beyond!

The Department of Early Learning and Office of Superintendent chose the pilot participants using a sample plan to ensure the pilot represents the diversity of our state. DEL and OSPI are leading this work, in consultation with Thrive by Five Washington. Thrive, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have contributed private funding to support the pilot.