Compulsory education: children 5 years of age.

Under existing law, a person between the ages of 6 and 18 years who is not exempted by law is subject to compulsory full-time education. Existing law excludes a child under 6 years of age from the public schools, subject to specified exceptions. Existing law requires a school district maintaining a kindergarten to admit a child who will have his or her 5th birthday on or before certain specified dates during that school year. This bill, commencing with the 2014–15 school year, would instead provide that a person from 5 to 18 years of age, inclusive, who is not exempt by law is subject to compulsory education, and would exclude children under 5 years of age from the public schools, except as specified. By increasing the duration of compulsory education provided by public schools, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.