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.
After a sometimes
contentious hour-long debate, the bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Glen
Casada of Franklin was approved on a 68-30 vote on Wednesday. Currently
children must be 5 years old by Sept. 30. The measure would move that
cut-off to Aug. 31 in the school year beginning in 2013, and to Aug. 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.
(Copyright
2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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