Compulsory attendance change for children in kindergarten
The education reform legislation passed last session makes a change to the compulsory attendance laws, effective July 1, 2012.  Starting on that date, a child who is age five by September 15 and is enrolled in a school district is of compulsory attendance age.  The only exception to this is if a parent notifies the district, in writing, of its intent to withdraw the child from the school district. 

The purpose of this change is to increase attendance for children in kindergarten.  If a child who is enrolled in kindergarten is not attending school, because the child is now of compulsory attendance age, the district is to follow its compulsory attendance policies and procedures unless and until the parent provides the district with written notice of intent to withdraw the kindergarten child from school. The Department is currently updating its materials on compulsory attendance to account for this legislative change.  For questions about this change, please contact Nicole Proesch at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .