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B 26-0706

Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Flexibility Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

The bill allows eligible children to defer kindergarten for one year without truancy findings and expands Pre-K/Kindergarten enrollment options by birth-date windows.

Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0706 Published in the District of Columbia Register
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Bill Summary · B 26-0706

Overview

The Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Flexibility Act of 2026 (B26-0706) proposes changes to DC’s compulsory education rules and the public school application process to provide families with flexibility in when their children start kindergarten or pre-kindergarten. The bill aims to let certain children defer enrollment for one year without being considered truant and to expand enrollment options for Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten based on specific birth-date windows. It also requires updates to the lottery/application process to reflect these flexibilities.

Purpose and Intent

  • Increase parental choice and flexibility in early childhood enrollment.
  • Allow qualifying children to defer kindergarten enrollment for one year without facing truancy issues.
  • Extend enrollment options for young children (Pre-K3, Pre-K4, Kindergarten) based on birth-date windows.
  • Align enrollment processes with these flexibilities to ensure smooth application opportunities.

Key Provisions

Title I – Compulsory Education Requirement Amendments

  • Amends the compulsory attendance rule to allow a one-year deferral of kindergarten for eligible children without truancy findings.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • A child who is 5 years old, or will turn 5, between June 16 of the previous school year and September 30 of the current school year.
    • The parent/guardian must:
    • Notify DC Public Schools (DCPS) in writing of the deferral decision.
    • Provide documentation that the child is enrolled full-time in a licensed DC, Maryland, or Virginia childcare program, or in a public/private school Pre-K class in DC/MD/VA.
    • Ensure the child remains enrolled in an eligible program for the deferral year.
    • Residency requirement: The child must establish DC residency after the start date of the school year for kindergarten.

Title II – Kindergarten and Pre-Kinder­garten Application Process Amendments

  • Establishes parental rights in enrollment decisions:
    • For age 4 (born between June 16 of the previous year and September 30 of the current year): may enroll in either Pre-K3 or Pre-K4 at DCPS or DC public charter schools.
    • For age 5 (same birth-date window): may enroll in Pre-K4 or kindergarten at DCPS or DC public charter schools.
    • For age 6 (same birth-date window): may enroll in kindergarten or first grade at DCPS or DC public charter schools.
  • Requires updating the public school lottery/application process to accommodate these options and birth-date windows.

Title III – Fiscal Impact and Effective Date

  • The act references a fiscal impact statement to be adopted as part of the committee report.
  • Effective date: takes effect after mayoral approval (or after veto override), followed by a 30-day congressional review and publication in the DC Register.

Who is Affected

  • Families with children eligible for Pre-K3, Pre-K4, Kindergarten, or First Grade in DC public schools (DCPS and public charter schools).
  • Parents/guardians seeking to defer kindergarten enrollment for one year.
  • DCPS, public charter schools, and the DC public lottery/application system (which must implement the updated enrollment options).

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • The bill was introduced June 18, 2026, and referred to the Committee of the Whole on June 23, 2026.
  • The State Board of Education approved the bill for transmittal to the Council by a 9-0 vote on June 17, 2026.
  • Effective date timeline follows standard DC Home Rule Act procedures: mayoral approval (or veto override), 30-day congressional review, then publication.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Increased flexibility for families with birthdays in the late spring/early fall window.
  • Possible administrative adjustments for DCPS and public charter lottery systems to implement new enrollment options.
  • Changes to truancy and attendance monitoring due to one-year deferral provisions.
  • Fiscal impact to be determined per the committee’s analysis, factoring in enrollment changes and administrative updates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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