The free program is open to children who live within district boundaries and are 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2020, according to LISD. They must also meet at least one eligibility requirement:
- unable to speak and understand the English language;
- eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program;
- homeless;
- child of an active-duty member of the armed forces or a reservist on active duty;
- child of a current or former military member who was injured or killed while on active duty; or
- has ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
An explanation of the qualifications is available on the LISD website by clicking on "Eligibility requirements." A Spanish language page is available here.
All parents will need to provide the child's birth certificate, proof of address, proof of immunizations and a parent's ID. They will also need to provide proof that the child meets one of the eligibility requirements.
LISD will also have a limited number of tuition-based openings in pre-K for children who do not meet the eligibility requirements, according to a press release. More details on that offering will be available soon, according to LISD.
In August, LISD is expanding its pre-K program from half day to full day. The new program will be offered at 13 elementary schools throughout the district, according to LISD.
LISD studies show that students who enroll in PreK score better on early standardized tests than students who qualify but are not enrolled in PreK, according to the district.
