Mandatory Kindergarten Proposed

A bill to make kindergarten mandatory for five-year-olds has been co-sponsored in the New York State Assembly by Ditmas Park's Rhoda Jacobs.

She, along with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Education Committee Chair Catherine Nolan, announced the passage of the measure yesterday.

The measure amends the Education Law and authorizes the New York City Board of Education to require minors who are five-years-old by December 1 to attend kindergarten instruction.

"As a passionate longtime advocate for early childhood education, I am
excited about the passage of this bill," said Jacobs in a release.

"We know it is a fact that early education is vital to the success of our children, and this bill will help ensure that our five-year-olds get the solid start they need and deserve," she continued.

Students who are enrolled in non-public schools or who are home-schooled
would not be required to attend kindergarten.

Parents may also elect todelay enrollment of their five-year-old children in school until the following September.