Kindergarten Start

House members voted Tuesday to consider a bill that would change the age requirement for children entering kindergarten. The House agreed to a resolution (HJR 2515) sponsored by Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth), that would allow the General Assembly to consider a bill that would require kindergartners entering school to turn 5 by August 31 instead of October 16. North Carolina has the latest cutoff date in the Southeast. Parents could still petition to have their young children accepted early. Since some parents hold children back a year from entering school, bill supporters say the current cutoff date can create situations where children from age 4 to 6 are in the same classroom. Any change would not take effect until 2008. As with other legislation which normally would not be eligible for debate during the short session, the Senate must also authorize the resolution, before the bill can be considered by either chamber.