NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The House has voted to approve a Republican bill aiming to require children to be older before they can enroll in kindergarten over Democrats' arguments that the measure is aimed at laying off teachers.
The bill sponsored by Republican Representative Glen Casada of Franklin was approved on a 68-30 vote on Wednesday. Currently children must be 5 years old by September 30. The measure would move that cut-off to August 31 in the school year beginning in 2013, and to August 15 the year after that.
Casada said he disputes a fiscal analysis that the change would affect 4,200 children at an annual cost savings to the state of more than $21 million. Four-year-olds could qualify if they pass a maturity test.
The companion bill is awaiting a Senate vote.
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