OLYMPIA, Wash.- A policy which would broaden access to preschool for low income families is currently progressing through the Washington State Legislature.
HB 1945 would ensure that any family which qualifies for federal or state basic food assistance and has a preschool age child would also qualify for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), which funds preschool for 3 to 4 year olds.
Children in Washington do not have universal access to public education until the age of 5, and are not required to start school until they are 8.
Bills to lower the compulsory education age in the Evergreen State, which is the oldest age requirement to begin schooling in the nation, have failed to pass the State Legislature several times.
Proposals to extend universal public education to pre-kindergarten or preschool have consistently failed in the national and state legislatures.
HB 1945 passed the State House on Feb. 9 with strong bipartisan support, and is currently awaiting a Senate Early Learning Committee hearing.
