2011 Senate Bill 316

Senate Roll Call 308: Passed

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.

36 Yeas / 2 Nays
Republican (26 Yeas / 0 Nays)
Democrat (10 Yeas / 2 Nays)