JOINT LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT UPDATE – March 30, 2012
From: Roy Hanson–Family Protection Ministries and Mike Smith–HSLDA
Bill: AB 2203 (as introduced 2/23/12) – 5-Year-Old Compulsory Education
Author: State Assembly Member V. Manuel Perez
Position: Strongly OPPOSE
Thanks for your important phone calls!
Status: During the Assembly Education Committee meeting on March 28th, the committee decided to postpone the hearing on AB 2203 in order to consider potential amendments to the bill. Our position is that no amendments will help. The hearing will be rescheduled for as early as April 11th.
Summary of Concern:
AB 2203 would lower the compulsory education age from 6 to 5 years of age, in effect making kindergarten mandatory. AB 2203 also would take another incremental step toward forcing a mandatory state-licensed preschool program for all 3 and 4-year-olds.
Action Items:
No action is needed at this time. We will follow up with another email Action Alert when the next action is needed. A big thank you to those who contacted the Assembly expressing your opposition to the bill. Please be alert as we will probably need your help in the near future again.