LANSING (WWJ) — Under current Michigan law, children aren’t required to attend kindergarten.
But as state officials continue to search for ways to improve the state’s academic achievement, a new bill would change that.
Senate Bill 285, authored by Democratic Sen. Dayna Polehanki of Livonia, would mandate that a child who is at least 5 years old on Sept. 1 be enrolled in kindergarten. It would take effect beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
The bill would also require all public schools that offer first grade also offer kindergarten.
The bill, which was discussed Tuesday in front of the Senate Education Committee, is being considered as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is also making a push for free, universal preschool in the state.
Speaking at Tuesday’s committee meeting, Polehanki said that push can’t be made without also mandating kindergarten.
“I believe, and the research says, that there’s no greater step towards academic achievement than this, as nothing compares to early education in terms of setting kids up for a lifetime of success,” Polehanki said. “But because we’re moving toward universal preschool, it doesn’t make sense that kids skip kindergarten.”
Polehanki said it would be a “missed opportunity” to not mandate kindergarten, as it would help improve academic achievement.
Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti also spoke to the committee Tuesday, saying mandatory kindergarten would also address chronic absenteeism in the district, according to a report from Bridge Michigan.