Report Title:

Education; Kindergarten; Entrance Age Requirement

Description:

Authorizes the board of education to determine the cut off age for kindergarten enrollment.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2754

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to education.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that raising Hawaii's public school kindergarten entry age will bring it in line with most other states and help to ensure that children are developmentally ready for school.

The purpose of this Act is to advance the cutoff date for kindergarten as specifically determined by the board of education.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The department shall establish and maintain kindergartens with a program of instruction as a part of the public school system; provided that attendance shall not be mandatory. No child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age on or before [December 31 of the school year; provided that a child attending a school that convenes after the regular school schedule shall be five years of age on or before one hundred twenty-five days following the date the school convenes; and provided further that the] a date specifically determined by the board. The board shall develop informational guidance to promote the understanding of a child's readiness for kindergarten."

SECTION 3. Section 302A-1131, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§302A-1131[]] Public schools; attendance. [(a)] Except as authorized by section 302A-411, no child shall attend any public school unless the child will be at least six years of age on or before [January 1 of the school year; provided that:

(1) A child attending a school that convenes after the regular school schedule shall be six years of age on or before one hundred twenty-five days following the date the school shall convene; and

(2) The department may establish procedures and criteria to determine the psychological and physiological readiness of children for public school and may grant an exception in the case of a child who is found to be ready.] a date specifically determined by the board.

[(b) All teachers who teach in the first and second grades and principals of public schools shall enforce this section and require proof of age by birth certificates or certificates of registration, or if none can be obtained, then by satisfactory evidence.]"

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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