Parallel California Assembly (2226) and Senate (1056) Bills have been introduced that would require children to attend one year of kindergarten before enrolling in first grade, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. An accompanying Assembly Bill (2268) would expressly state that the requirement for pupils in kindergarten to be assessed in English listening and speaking does not include pupils in transitional kindergarten.
Currently, kindergarten is not required for students in California, but it is considered a grade level, is factored in calculating average daily attendance (ADA), and is included in the academic content standards, curriculum frameworks, and instructional materials. However, attendance in kindergarten is not mandatory, and compulsory education laws begin at age six.