God help you if little Johnny fails finger painting or nap-time. He won't be able to compete in the 1st grade world! LMAO! NOW LETS DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT LIKE LOWERING TAXES AND PROMOTING BUSINESS GROWTH!

Who doesn't want their child to succeed? I don't know many people who are qualified to teach anyone, including their own children. Kindergarten teaches social and academic skills that really help a young child succeed. The US is behind other foreign countries when comparing them, academically. Kids need all the help they can get. I'll tell you, I was shocked to know it is not mandatory already, because I was under the impression it was.

Gonzales, you're comments on home schooling seem to be based on ignorance and lack of being educated on the subject. Learn about the requirements that are parents have to follow in order to be approved to even follow through with this type of schooling.

I would suggest you read this article: http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/sep/22/...

More important issues like wasting police time leading the out of town NFL buses from the hotel to the stadium. What a waste of tax payer money.

I have to agree with most of what RetiredAirForce wrote: It seems like an unnecessary law and a waste of lawmakers' time. Get on to more important issues.

Comments like, “OMG. What is the big deal” and “ I truly believe that this is for the best” are the exact reason government has gotten to big to begin with.

None of us want our children playing with broken glass in the back yard yet there is no law saying they can’t…how have the kids survived with out it? Just because it sounds good or makes us “feel” good does not make it a good law or regulation.

This bill was pushed for political reasons headed by WEAC. The legislation was an agenda item by WEAC; WEAC represents almost 100,000 teachers in Wisconsin. This agenda item fits their desire for mandatory kindergarten not parents. According to a story on Beloit Daily News, this bill mandating attendance, affects ~ 117first graders; that’s 1/3 of 1 percent of all first graders as of the last school year. How does this meet the requirement for a new law? Why are legislators passing bills of this nature when there are other, very pressing issues that do need their attention? The answer is an easy one. WEAC and their members donate a lot of money to the democratic politicians of this state and this is something WEAC wanted.

There are some intelligent posts here but I am amazed by some of the absolutely dumb statements. You obviously don’t know who you are, but everyone else does. It is laughable and scary at the same time.

Compulsory attendance does not equal compulsory education!!!! Just because you force a kid to sit in a school does mean they are required to learn anything or that they will. Someone asked who gives parents the right to think they can educate their child. Parents are the first and primary educators of their children. They have the responsibility to choose to educate their children in the way they feel is best for their child. If they feel that keeping them in the home is the best method for their own child then yes, they have that right and responsibility.

As a mother to a first grader, I truly believe that this is for the best. There are a lot of expectations in first grade and kindergarten really prepares kids for it.

OMG. What is the big deal. Most families choose to send their children to kindergarten. If you don't want to send your child to kindergarten then you can home school. If children don't go to kindergarten or receive a home school education prior to enterering first grade they will struggle in first grade. Expectations in first grade are higher than what they used to be.

I'm betting that 4k will be next....

Does anyone know if this means that the compulsory school age will change to 5 instead of 6 as it is currently? I'm guessing it would mean this.

I will also throw in there are teachers out there who went to college 4-5 years and are excellent, they excel at what they do. But that is not all of them.

There are teachers who have gone to college for 4 years, some 5, who should not be teaching. There is so much out there on the internet, through support groups. through organizations that home schooling is not what it used to be. Our friend home schools and her kids have so many more options available to them. They do and see so much more than what they would be exposed to in public schools. Her oldest daughter is currently attending a 4 year college in the grand state of Wisconsin . She has made the dean's list every year. It does not take a college degree to teach. Heck virtual schools are another excellent alternative if home schooling is not some one's cup of tea. .

All of these comments are so double edged sword. First of all get over the garbage talk about Obama and all. Vote for him or not he is our President and its time to show some support. Your right requiring KG really only effects a few but if we can help at least one then we have made a difference. Also if Kg is required then in first grade teachers do not have to waste so much time getting all of the children on the same level. Also we continue to backlash against schools on how poor they are and how low are children are, then requiring them to be there more should help the cause.

Good -- keep those errant five year-olds from wandering the streets in their little gangs and creating mayhem!

Now, push it down a few more years, add dinner and sleep-overs, and parents won't have to be responsible for any child care whatsoever. Then they can "blame it all on society and our schools!" Better yet, hook 'em up to life-support right from birth, just like in The Matrix! Perhaps Obama can work on that health care plan.

And kudos to those all those home schoolers out there for keeping the idea of a new world creationism and intelligent design alive and kicking, despite all evidence to the contrary. I know, it's all just God's big cosmic trick to test faith, and dinosaurs lived with early humans...just like in the Flintsones!

And for a great documentary about Amish home/community schooling, intentionally restricted education ("education beyond eight-grade leads to pride!"), social indoctrination, and genetic inbreeding depression, see The Devil's Playground. Gimme that old-time religion!

Notafraidofcolor and mickie they really should get rid of home schooling. What makes a parent qualified to teach. Home schooling is one of those things that you dont even need to be qualified to do. So a teacher has to go to school for at least 4 years to be able to teach and a parent can just say hey I want to teach my kids and there you go. Getting a drivers license is even harder. Don't get me wrong a lot of parents choose to home school their children and do an amazing job.

MikeF, my thoughts exactly. Socialist liberals think they know what's best for you and your children. How dare we try to keep little Suzy and Billy at home. Throw them all out of office in 2010!

There would be a hell of a fight if they ever tried to get rid of home schooling. Public schools need to improve big time. Besides religious reasons that is why many home school is because of public schools failings. People will always be able to home school based on religious reasons. So that would be a hell of a fight.

I guess next "they" well get rid of home schooling as well...

'Opponents in the Senate questioned why the Legislature was trying to mandate good attendance for young children who may not go to school because of their parents' poor choices. "

So if someone chooses to keep their child at home for their kindergarten year its a poor choice? There are parents out there who truly work with their kids, and read to them and play actual games with them. Who enjoy teaching their children. Kindergarten is not like teaching brain surgery, I am certain there are many parents out there who are quite capable.

lost city, what a dork , thats right blame Obama . At least Obama wants to make sure children get a education. Unlike bush which I question if he ever finished school anywhere. I think they just gave him a diploma and said get the xxxx out.

Jeers.

More Obama socialism!

mikef, I agree with you. Even though most families send their kids to kindergarten, I don't think it should be mandatory. I am guessing that the schools are behind, obviously. For each kid they have enrolled its $$$$ for them. But with it effecting less than 150 kids state wide it will help very few schools over all.

Cool! Another year of mandatory child warehousing! Next up mandatory 4K. Then mandatory warehousing for 3 year olds. Before you know it they will take the kid at birth.

I really wondered why they bothered with this as they said at the time it would effect very few less than 150 kindergarten age kids state wide. So I would like to know how it all got started if it involves so few?

I heard the same thing last week on one of the tv stations. It was clear at this point it was going to pass, no reason why it would not have. That is why it is old news. It was in our local paper last week as well that this was going on. Just trying to play catch up, must be a slow news day.

pat, get over yourself. WMTV reported that the house passed the bill last week. The gazette is reporting that the senate passed it today, making that part of the story "new news". How could WMTV report something last week that happened today?

Like I always say, you can never have enough government involvement. I can't wait until health insurance is mandatory, because I'm going to quit my job.

Nope wmtv had it last week.

The news is not "over a week old". It passed the Assembly last week. It passed the Senate today.

This news is over a week old. Madison had this last week. I don't know why anyone would choose not to take advantage of kindergarten for their child. Most kids by the age of 5, are excited and ready to go to school.