Missouri Senate

Introduced

ATTENDANCE AGE FOR ST. LOUIS AND KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS: This act changes the age at which a child must begin attending school in the St. Louis City School District and Kansas City School District from age seven to age five. If the child's parent or legal guardian determines that the child is not ready to attend kindergarten, he or she may enroll the child in an accredited preschool program operating in the school district after providing notification to the school district. This change will begin in the 2011-2012 school year. (Section 167.031)

START DATES FOR KINDERGARTEN: This act allows a school district to offer, by majority vote of the school board, two start dates for kindergarten. One start date must occur on the normal starting date for the district and the other must occur approximately halfway through the year. The school district may group children according to their date of birth. In addition, school districts must allow parents to have their child start kindergarten on the start date of their choice. A district that adopts a second start date for kindergarten students will not lose eligibility to receive state aid regardless of the timing or number of days of actual pupil attendance. A child who begins kindergarten on a second start date in the school year may be promoted to first grade the next school year if the student's teacher and principal find that the student is adequately prepared. The student's parent or legal guardian may request that the student remain in kindergarten for an additional year. (Section 171.017)

MICHAEL RUFF