TORRANCE – Assembly Bill 2226, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, has passed the Assembly Floor. The measure would require children to attend one year of kindergarten before enrolling in first grade, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. This would thereby make kindergarten mandatory, and ensuring children are well prepared to enter first grade.
Currently, kindergarten is not required for students in California. In California, kindergarten is considered a grade level, is factored in calculating average daily attendance (ADA), and is included in the academic content standards, curriculum frameworks, and instructional materials. However, attendance in kindergarten is not mandatory, and compulsory education laws begin at age six, so parents must enroll their children in school once they reach the age of six. With parental input, it is a local decision whether a six-year-old student will be enrolled in kindergarten or be eligible for first grade.
“We know the achievement gap is present before children attend first grade. California is making substantial investments in pre-kindergarten programs, including transitional kindergarten (TK) and the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), providing opportunities for children to have two years of high-quality early education before entering first grade. To fully realize this goal, we must ensure that all children attend kindergarten to build the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to support their ongoing academic and social-emotional success,” said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee.
“As a public school teacher and vice principal for almost 20 years, I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact on young students who miss out on fundamental early education and I will continue to be committed to this important issue,” said Senator Susan Rubio.
“We cannot teach the absent child,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Making kindergarten a mandatory grade level is fundamental to closing the achievement gap. We will continue to advocate for this important effort with AB 2226 (Muratsuchi). It is essential that the Legislature and Governor adopt this law this year to allow sufficient time to raise awareness on this issue.”
Mandatory kindergarten has the potential to increase equity and reduce opportunity gaps. Research demonstrates the effectiveness of kindergarten attendance, particularly for disadvantaged children. According to the U.S. Department of Education, based upon a nationally representative sample of kindergarteners, Black and Latino children score significantly lower than White children in reading and math at kindergarten entry. One study found that the racial/ethnic differences in achievement and social-emotional skills primarily reflect pre-k differences in these areas.