Law would require student registration by age 5

OLYMPIA – Some educators are pushing for children’s enrollment in school by age 5.

Currently, Washington parents are allowed to delay their child’s enrollment with the local school system until age 8. If Senate Bill 5537 passes, it changes to 5.

The Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee held a public hearing on the bill on Jan. 14.

“By adjusting the compulsory age to 5, we are aligned with the majority of states and closer to alignment with our Pacific coast neighbors,” said Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, sponsor of the bill and chair of the committee.

Each school district’s...