Introduced by Sen. Darwin Booher R-Evart on April 12, 2011
To require children to be age 5 on Sept. 1 to attend kindergarten, rather than by Dec. 1 under current law. The bill would also establish procedures for allowing a child who is less than age 5 on the new date to still start kindergarten, including a skills level assessment test. Note: School districts get extra money from the state for every kindergartner they enroll. Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the Senate Education Committee on April 12, 2011
Reported in the Senate on March 15, 2012
With the recommendation that the substitute (S-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Substitute offered in the Senate on May 1, 2012
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on May 1, 2012
Amendment offered by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood D-Taylor on May 3, 2012
To earmark any budget savings realized in the transition to earlier kindergarten cutoff ages to government "early childhood education" programs.
To require children to be age 5 by Sept. 1 to attend kindergarten, rather than by Dec. 1 under current law. This earlier age cut-off would be phased in one month at a time over three years, starting in 2013. A child who would have been eligible under the current requirements could still attend if the parents "opt in" by notifying the school by June 1. The phase-in was negotiated because school districts get money from the state for each kindergartner, whose numbers would be reduced during the transition period.
Received in the House on May 3, 2012
Referred to the House Education Committee on May 3, 2012
Reported in the House on June 7, 2012
With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Substitute offered in the House on June 12, 2012
The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on June 12, 2012