Louisiana Committee Passes Mandatory Kindergarten Bill

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Surely I can't be the only one that didn't realize this didn't exist already, right?

I was honestly under the impression that kindergarten was mandatory for Louisiana students in the first place, but apparently, that is not the case. Well, I guess you learn something new every day.

OK, after clicking the bill and reading it, I guess I understand it now... Apparently, this bill would require all children in Louisiana to begin Kindergarten at the age of five. I support that myself, as a summer-birthday kid who could start either at five or six, I was always substantially younger than most of my classmates. Even more so when I got to Evangel.

Believe it or not, science backs it up in a positive way. Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan East Nelson told the Louisiana Radio Network, "All of the evidence about those very valuable early years tells us that kindergarten being mandatory is a big step towards helping children thrive."

If it puts our kiddos in a better position, I am all for it!

The bill was voted on this week by the Senate Education board and passed by a vote of 5-1.

There is opposition to the bill, of course, as you can see from the one "no" vote. Homeschool Louisiana Government Affairs Jesse Leger says, "We will have to report to the state two years earlier than we do now. It’s just another government overreach which we’re not super happy about."

The bill will now head to the Senate floor. If the bill becomes law, the changes will start with the 2022-23 school year.