KINDERGARTEN: AGE OF ENROLLMENT - S.B. 447: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 447 (as introduced 3-17-99)
Sponsor: Senator Joanne G. Emmons
Committee: Education
Date Completed: 9-21-99
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to require a child to be at least five years old on September 1, rather than December 1, in order to enroll in kindergarten. Specifically, in a school district that provided kindergarten, a child who resided in the school district could enroll in the kindergarten if he or she were at least five years of age on September 1 of the school year of enrollment. Currently, the child must be at least five on December 1 of the school year of enrollment.
MCL 380.1147 - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
FISCAL IMPACT
The State would realize savings of approximately one-fourth of the cost of foundation allowance payments for kindergartners. Of the estimated 123,000 kindergartners, approximately one-fourth (or 31,000) pupils would have to wait an extra year before enrolling in kindergarten. Based on FY 1999-2000 estimates, the result would be savings to the State of an estimated $196,400,000. These savings would continue for 13 years until the first kindergarten grade reached graduation.
Local districts would have a loss in revenue equal to the above-mentioned figures. The grade affected by this legislation would be permanently reduced by one-fourth throughout the K-12 educational cycle of those pupils. Similarly, the school district would receive one-fourth less in revenues for those 13 years.
- Fiscal Analyst: J. CarrascoS9900\s447sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.