The House of Representatives passes an amended version of a bill that changes the age cut-off for kindergarten enrollment effective next year.
Current state law requires children start school if they turn five years old by September first. House Bill 1174 shifts that date to August first to ensure all students are five years old by the beginning of the school year.
If the bill becomes law, opponents worry it could negatively impact families whose children are no longer eligible to start school this year.
The amended version of the bill delays its effects until July 1st of 2021.
Representative Linda Duba says if a child is not ready to adapt to a classroom setting, it means an added burden for teachers.
“I got a lot of feedback from some families about daycare," she says. "School is not daycare. School is school, and we do have structure and we do teach. And we are having good success for most of our children. It’s these young, young ones that are really struggling.”
The bill passes the House with 62 in favor, seven opposed, and one excused.
