Senator Rubio’s Education Package Will Prepare Younger Students for Academic Success

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) today introduced two education bills that will help younger students attain greater academic success as well as remove obstacles for parents to volunteer in the classroom.

Senate Bill 1153 will require kindergarten attendance as a requirement prior to entering the first grade with some exemptions. The second bill, SB 1176, will remove a financial burden from parent volunteers who want to participate at their children’s school but cannot afford fingerprinting fees.

“As a public school teacher for 17 years, primarily focused on elementary, I personally witnessed the negative impact on students who did not attend kindergarten,” said Senator Rubio. “Research shows that kindergartners who miss 10% or more school days have lower academic performance by the time they reach first grade. We must act now to ensure students are prepared for future academic success.”

Existing California law does not mandate children to attend kindergarten. Since kindergarten is optional, it can lead families to believe that kindergarten is not important or that attendance is not essential.

“We are proud to have offered full-day kindergarten to all students for more than a decade,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “Kindergarten ensures students have access to high-quality academic, social, and developmentally-appropriate experiences which provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of success. Schools are the center of the communities they serve and are places where families can engage in the learning and growth of their children. We are pleased to work with Senator Rubio on these important measures in an effort to close achievement gaps.”

In addition, studies show that parent engagement in their children’s education has a positive influence in their academic success. Before becoming a school volunteer, many parents and legal guardians are required to pass background checks to ensure student safety.

The costs associated with a background clearance, although it may seem minimal, are major financial obstacles for working families in low-income communities. This limits their ability to participate in their child’s school. SB 1176 will encourage greater parent participation by removing the financial obstacle.

##