Rhode Island
Compulsory Kindergarten Flunks
On January 11, Representative Aisha W. Abdullah-Odiase (D), District 19 (Providence), introduced House Bill 6767, which would have imposed mandatory full-day kindergarten on all Rhode Island five year olds, four year olds, and three year olds who would turn four by December 31 of a school year.
Both Rhode Island Guild of Home Teachers (RIGHT) and Home School Legal Defense Association sent alerts urging their members to oppose this bill. On April 25, the House Finance Committee held a hearing on H. 6767. The committee did not give a favorable recommendation but simply voted to “continue” the bill, putting off—perhaps indefinitely—any action on this expensive, harmful, and burdensome legislation.
HSLDA’s deep appreciation goes to the many home school families who communicated their opposition to this bill by phone calls and e-mails to their legislators. You made a difference. Special thanks to Mike and Sue Wroblewski of RIGHT who testified effectively against the bill at the hearing after spending hours waiting for their turn. — Scott A. Woodruff
