MO HB1297

Lowers the compulsory school attendance age from seven to six years old for children not enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home school programs.

Allows parents to request in writing that children under age six be excused from school attendance and dropped from school rolls.

Requires all public school kindergarten programs to be full-day programs beginning in school year 2010, with the same length school day as other elementary grades in the district.

Clarifies home school requirements, including maintaining records of instruction, providing at least 1,000 hours of instruction annually (600 hours in core subjects), and limiting enrollment to no more than four unrelated children.

Prohibits state departments and agencies from dictating curriculum requirements for private, parochial, parish, or home schools, allowing them to exclude or include content based on religious doctrine.