To amend section 3321.01 of the Revised Code regarding age requirements for kindergarten admission and to correct a scoring error on the 2024-2025 science end-of-course exam.
Summary
HB114 revises Ohio law governing kindergarten admission ages and related school enrollment rules. The bill amends the Revised Code to adjust the age requirements for kindergarten entry, including the general rule that school districts must admit children who are five years old by the applicable cutoff date, while preserving existing options for districts to use an August 1 cutoff instead of September 30. It also retains and clarifies provisions for early admission, transfer students already admitted to kindergarten, and the treatment of children enrolled in preschool or Montessori programs.
In addition to the kindergarten-age changes, the bill makes conforming amendments to community school statutes and preschool special education funding provisions. It updates reporting requirements for community schools, including enrollment and special education data, and preserves rules on funding eligibility, tuition, and enrollment counting for younger children admitted under existing law. The bill also amends preschool disability aid language to reflect current funding formulas and age eligibility for preschool children with disabilities.
Impact
The bill primarily affects sections 3314.06, 3314.08, 3317.0213, and 3321.01 of the Revised Code, changing how kindergarten admission age is determined and aligning related community school and preschool funding provisions with that policy. School districts, community schools, preschool providers, and families of kindergarten-age children would be the main parties affected. The measure preserves district discretion over certain cutoff dates and early admission decisions, while maintaining existing funding and reporting rules for younger students in Montessori, preschool, and community school settings.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It advanced out of the House Education Committee unanimously, passed the House overwhelmingly, received favorable action in the Senate despite a small number of dissenting votes, and then passed the House again without opposition. The lack of committee testimony or transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the recorded votes indicate the bill was generally viewed positively by lawmakers.
Contention
No committee transcript is available, so specific arguments for or against the bill are not documented in the provided materials. Based on the text, any contention would likely center on the kindergarten age cutoff, district flexibility in setting admission dates, and how the changes interact with early admission, Montessori programs, and community school funding/reporting rules. The small number of Senate nays suggests there was at least some concern, but the record provided does not identify which members or what objections they raised.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3517.12, 3517.13, and 3517.155 of the Revised Code to modify the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and statewide initiatives and referenda and to declare an emergency.
To amend sections 3505.01 and 3505.10 of the Revised Code to modify the deadline for a political party to certify its nominees for President and Vice-President to the Secretary of State.
To delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.
In duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for kindergartens; in pupils and attendance, further providing for age limits and temporary residence, for definitions and for when provided; and, in early learning programs, providing for full-day kindergarten.
Establishes one-time grant program to support implementation of free, full-day kindergarten programs in certain school districts; appropriates $5 million.
Establishes one-time grant program to support implementation of free, full-day kindergarten programs in certain school districts; appropriates $5 million.