Compulsory school attendance law; require of kindergarten-age children.

SB 2297 would have required all Mississippi children who turn 5 by August 1st each year to attend a licensed kindergarten program (public, private, parochial, or homeschool) starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It would have extended Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law to include kindergarten-age children, previously only covering ages 6-17. Parents would have needed to submit a "certificate of enrollment" by September 15th each year, detailing the child's education setting. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.