Bill > SB5537

This bill changes the compulsory school attendance requirements in Washington state. The key provisions are: - Lowers the compulsory school attendance age from 8 years old to 6 years old, ensuring every child in Washington receives an education starting by age 6. - Maintains the existing options for public, private, and home-based education, while requiring parents to file an annual declaration of intent for home-based instruction starting at age 6. - Establishes additional steps schools must take when a child has unexcused absences, including conferences with the parent/child, applying assessment tools, and connecting the family with community resources. - Revises the process for filing truancy petitions with the juvenile court, including requirements for schools and the court. - Removes the previous requirements specific to 6 and 7 year old children, consolidating the compulsory attendance laws. - Provides a delayed effective date of August 1, 2023 if local school districts determine they are unable to comply by the initial August 1, 2022 effective date.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5537&Year=2021&Initiative=false