LINCOLN — A bill that would require children to be slightly older before they enter kindergarten in Nebraska was quickly advanced Tuesday to debate by the full Legislature.
After a public hearing, the Legislature's Education Committee voted unanimously to advance Legislative Bill 1006.
Under the bill, introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, students who turn 5 by July 31 would be automatically eligible to enroll in kindergarten. The current cutoff date is Oct. 15.
Students who turn 5 between Aug. 1 and Oct. 15 could seek an exception from the local school board to be admitted under LB 1006.
Under current law, a student who doesn't turn 5 until January can gain a waiver to be admitted to kindergarten the previous fall as a 4-year-old.
LB 1006 would narrow the current 18-month age gap that can occur among kindergarten pupils. It would go into effect in the 2012-13 school year.
— Paul Hammel
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