Proposed law would require local student registration by age 5

OLYMPIA – Early childhood education is so critical to student success that now some educators are pushing for enrollment in school by age 5.

Currently, Washington parents are allowed to delay their child’s enrollment with the local school system until age eight. If Senate Bill 5537 passes, they’ll be the last in the nation to do so.

The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee held a public hearing on the bill Jan. 14.

“By adjusting the compulsory age to five we are aligned with the majority of states and closer to alignment with our Pacific coast neighbors,” said Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-...