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
Substitute offered by Sen. Mike Nofs R-Battle Creek on May 3, 2012
To replace the previous version of the bill with one that lets a child who would have been eligible under the current requirements to still attend if the parents "opt in" by notifying the school by June 1.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on May 3, 2012
Amendment offered by Sen. Darwin Booher R-Evart on May 3, 2012
To revise a wording detail in the proposed parent "opt out" provision.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on May 3, 2012
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