HB440 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Public schools, require a child successfully complete kindergarten before being admitted to the first grade, Sec. 16-28-4 am'd.

Summary

HB440 would require five-year-olds to enroll in kindergarten by September 1 and create rules for admitting younger children to kindergarten under certain conditions, shifting from the current age-based entrance to first grade.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 16-28-4 to require a child who is five years old on or before September 1 to enroll in local public school kindergarten. It also allows some children under five on September 1 to be admitted to public kindergarten on a space-available basis under specific conditions, such as transferring from another state's public kindergarten or meeting criteria and completing an assessment for readiness if they turn five later in the year. The bill notes that these changes involve new or increased local funding but are covered by exceptions so local approval or a 2/3 vote is not required. It becomes effective June 1, 2021.

Who It Affects

• Five-year-old children and their families, who would be required to enroll in kindergarten by September 1 with limited exceptions for younger children.
• Local boards of education and school districts, who would implement the new enrollment rules, determine space-available admissions for underage children, and manage related funding and policies.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-28-4 to require five-year-olds on or before September 1 to enroll in local public school kindergartens.
• Allows underage children (younger than five on September 1) to be admitted to public kindergarten on a space-available basis under defined circumstances, including transfers from another state's public kindergarten and conditions established by the local board with an assessment for readiness if turning five between September 1 and December 31.
• Specifies that the underage enrollment may be subject to criteria and an assessment to determine developmental readiness for enrollment.
• States that no public school system will lose teacher units due to this section; the State Board of Education may adopt implementation policies for local boards of education.
• Acknowledges that the changes would require new or increased local funds but are exempt from local approval or 2/3 vote under Amendment 621 of the Alabama Constitution.
• Effective date: June 1, 2021.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Schools