What is the mandatory kindergarten law and when did it go into effect?
The mandatory kindergarten attendance law, which went into effect July 1, 1992, establishes two requirements: a. The minimum age of compulsory school attendance is lowered to five years of age; and — b. Children are required to attend kindergarten before entering first grade. 2. Who is affected by the law? All children who reside in Maryland and who will be five years old by September are affected by the mandatory kindergarten attendance law. 3. Does attendance in a private kindergarten satisfy the requirements of this law? Yes. Attendance of age eligible children in any of the following nonpublic kindergarten educational programs satisfies the requirements of the mandatory kindergarten attendance law: a. A kindergarten educational program in a nonpublic school which holds a Certificate of Approval from the Maryland State Board of Education; b. A kindergarten educational program in a licensed child care center which holds a Certificate of Approval from the Maryland State Board of Educ
