The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 10 Original 2021 Regular Session Fields
Present law (R.S. 17:151.3) requires public school systems to provide for and offer full-day
kindergarten and establishes the minimum age for entrance into kindergarten as one year younger
than the minimum age for entering first grade, which is six years old on or before Sept. 30th. Also
requires that prior to entering first grade that a child must have either attended a full-day kindergarten
or have passed an academic readiness screening established by the local school system. Requires
parents and legal guardians to send a child to kindergarten or ensure that the child is administered
a readiness screening prior to the child entering first grade.
Proposed law requires, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, a child who turns five years of
age on or before Sept. 30th to attend full-day kindergarten and to pass a readiness assessment prior
to entering first grade.
Present law (R.S. 17:221) requires compulsory school attendance for children ages 7 through 18,
unless the child graduates from high school prior to his 18th birthday.
Proposed law provides, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, that compulsory school
attendance begins the year during which a child turns 5 on or before September 30th.
Present law (R.S. 17:222) provides that the minimum age that a child may enter first grade of any
public school is six years of age on or before Sept. 30th of the calendar year in which the school year
begins. Allows the Jefferson and Orleans Parish School Boards to set by rule a different minimum
age for first grade entrance. Present law also requires proof of age, race, and parentage.
Proposed law removes the minimum age threshold for entry into the first grade. Provides that the
provisions of present law that allows Jefferson and Orleans Parishes to establish different entry
standards shall become null and void on June 30, 2022.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:151.3, 221(A)(1), and 222)