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Committee hears bill to lower compulsory attendance age from 7 to 6
Summary
Revisor Long explained HB 2717 would change KSA 72‑3120 to lower the compulsory attendance age from 7 to 6 and include a one‑year religious exemption. Members asked about prevalence in other states and implementation consequences; the hearing closed with no vote.
Revisor Long told the Committee on Education that House Bill 2717 would amend KSA 72‑3120 to lower the age at which a child is required to enroll in school from 7 to 6 (a child would have to be 6 on or before Aug. 31 to be required to enroll). The draft includes a one‑year religious exemption mirroring another statutory provision.
Why it matters: The bill would change the state’s compulsory‑attendance threshold and could modestly increase kindergarten enrollment in some districts. The Revisor and committee staff noted the statutory distinction between compulsory attendance and kindergarten eligibility (minimum age to enroll kindergarten remains 5) and pointed committee members to an Education Commission of the States 50‑state survey for comparative data.
Committee discussion: Members asked why the change is necessary and how many states use a lower compulsory age; staff offered to circulate the ECS survey. The fiscal note indicates no statewide fiscal effect for most districts except where districts might need classroom changes or construction to accommodate additional students. No vote was taken and the hearing was closed.
Ending: The committee adjourned after the session and indicated no meeting the following day due to appropriations scheduling conflicts for several members.
