AL HB208

Changes the minimum age for kindergarten enrollment from six years old by December 31 to five years old by September 1, with exceptions for transfers from other states and children meeting local board criteria.

Requires children who become six years old between September 1 and December 31 to complete kindergarten or demonstrate first grade readiness through benchmark scores on state-approved early reading and math assessments before entering first grade.

Allows underage children (under five on September 1) to be admitted to kindergarten on a space-available basis if they transfer from another state's public kindergarten or meet local board-established developmental readiness criteria.

Permits underage children to be admitted to first grade if they transfer from first grade in another state, provided they demonstrate first grade readiness.

Prohibits public school systems from losing teacher units as a result of this section and authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt implementation policies for local boards.