TENNESSEE, USA — Do you remember if you were considered older or younger in your grade? It depends on when you started kindergarten.
In Tennessee, children must turn five by Aug. 15 to enroll in kindergarten that year.
But a 2024 bill has parents and childcare professionals asking if that will change soon.
THE SOURCES
QUESTION 1
Is the State of Tennessee changing the deadline for children to turn five to start kindergarten?
WHAT WE FOUND
According to the Tennessee State Board of Education, state law still stands that a child must turn five by the August cut-off date, and the early enrollment is still completely under the jurisdiction of individual school districts.
However, SB1795/ HB1865 would change that if passed. The legislation would move the cut-off date up to May 15 and remove the early enrollment option for all students whose birthdate misses the deadline.
THE ANSWER
No, but lawmakers are pushing to change the cut-off date.
The bill was introduced on the Senate and House floors on Jan. 24, 2024.
HB 1865 was assigned to a K-12 Committee on Jan. 25. SB 1795 passed on a second consideration on Jan. 5, and was then referred to the Senate Education Committee.
Again, the bill has not passed. If it becomes law, it will take effect on July 1 and apply to the 2024-2025 school year.
