Millett Bill to Improve School Attendance Receives Committee Approval

AUGUSTA — A bill introduced by Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, would change the required school attendance age for children from 7 years of age to 6 years of age. The bill, LD 151 “An Act to Align State Law with Current Practice Regarding Required School Attendance,” was supported in an 8-4 vote in the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Monday, Feb. 11.

“Science and common sense tell us unequivocally that the early years of a child’s life is when the brain lays the foundation for learning,” said Sen. Millett. “This bill will bring our statute in line with investments in early education.”

The current practice for many school children is to begin school attendance at age 6. Half of the states in the United States have attendance beginning at age 6 while another 11 set the age at 5. Maine law states children must attend school beginning at age 7. Millett’s bill would align state law with current practice.

During the public hearing last week, the President of the Maine Education Association, Grace Leavitt, spoke in support of LD 151. “We know that many children in Maine come from families that are dealing with a variety of challenges. We try our best to address their needs, but we can do more on that front if they are in our schools by age 6,” said Leavitt. “We need to ensure equity of education for our children in Maine, and we need to provide developmentally appropriate programs for our students. A good step forward is passage of LD 151.”

LD 151 will face further votes in the Maine House and Senate.