HB360 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Schools, age to attend school, six years of age by December 31 to attend first grade, authorized, Sec. 16-28-4 am'd.

Summary

HB360 would require a child to be six years old by December 31 to start first grade for that school year.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would change the first-grade admission rule so a child must be six by December 31 to enroll for that school year. It keeps exceptions for kids who transfer from other states or who move here after completing kindergarten elsewhere. It also allows, with board approval, admission at the start of the second semester for children who turn six by February 1 in districts with semiannual promotions.

Who It Affects

• Parents/guardians of children approaching first grade who would qualify under the December 31 age cutoff
• School districts and boards of education that must implement the new rule and handle exceptions
• Students transferring from other states or moving into Alabama who may be admitted despite age requirements
• Five-year-old children and their families who are affected by the existing kindergarten admission rules and transfer provisions

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-4 to require a child to be six years old on or before December 31 to be admitted to first grade for that school year
• Preserves certain age-based exceptions for underage children: transfers from other states may be admitted with board approval; children moving here after completing a mandated kindergarten in another state may be admitted regardless of age
• Allows, with board approval, early entry to the second semester for children who become six by February 1 in districts with semiannual promotions
• Keeps existing kindergarten requirements for five-year-olds and related transfer rules, and includes implementation guidance for local boards of education
• States that no public school system shall lose teacher units and authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt policies for implementing the section

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Students