Michigan Democrats advance mandatory kindergarten bill

• Senate Bill 285 would require students to be enrolled in some form of kindergarten
• Bill opponents say such a requirement would limit parent’s choice in schooling for their children 
• Bill sponsor says the bill is not aimed at creating a homeschool registry

Michigan lawmakers advanced a bill Tuesday that would make kindergarten mandatory. 

Under current law, students are required to attend school starting at age 6. Senate Bill 285 would require students to be enrolled at age 5 but provide an option for parents to delay their child’s start by a year.

“If we're serious about setting kids up for a lifetime of success, early education’s where it's at,” said bill sponsor Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia.

As the state moves toward universal preschool for all 4-year-olds, Polehanki said “it doesn't make sense that kindergarten continues to be optional.” 

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This summer, state lawmakers agreed to expand the income threshold for families to qualify for free preschool in the state’s Great Start Readiness Program. 

It’s unclear how many students are eligible to attend kindergarten right now but are not currently attending. Some parents may choose to wait until their children turn 6 before sending them to school, others may enroll them in a private school or homeschool their children.

During the 2022-2023 school year, there were 113,864 kindergarten students enrolled in Michigan public schools. Census data from 2022 shows 116,348 5-year-olds in the state.

Michigan law requires students to attend public school, but students are exempt from the requirement if they are homeschooled or attend a private school.

Nine Democrats voted for the bill and four Republicans voted against the bill Tuesday. The bill previously passed in the Senate.

Some people who spoke in opposition of the bill said they were worried the bill would limit parental choice or open the state up to further homeschool restrictions such as a homeschool registry. 

Polehanki said the bill is not aimed at counting homeschooled children.

Now that the bill has passed committee, the next step would be a full House vote.