State House Looks to Mandate Schooling by Age 6 - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

State House Looks to Mandate Schooling by Age 6

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Emily Bowman, News/Web Producer - email

OLYMPIA, Wash. - State lawmakers are looking to require kids to start formal schooling by age 6.
    
The state House approved a plan Friday that would lower the mandatory school age from 8. Washington is one of only two states with that current age threshold, with most states requiring education by age 6.
    
Democratic Rep. Marcie Maxwell of Renton says society has changed since the law was set over 100 years ago and the new bill reflects the importance of education in the state.
    
Republican Rep. Jason Overstreet of Lynden opposed the measure, saying he expects the age will be pushed lower and lower in upcoming years. He opposed the bill's requirement that home-schooling families must sign a declaration describing their intentions to not utilize public schools.
    
The bill now heads to the Senate.

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