MO HB596

Establishes that children must reach age three by August 1 of the school year to be eligible for prekindergarten programs in school districts that maintain such programs.

Requires children to reach age five by August 1 of the school year for kindergarten eligibility, with exceptions for military dependents who completed accredited prekindergarten or kindergarten programs in other states.

Allows children ages three to five attending a full-day prekindergarten program operated by a district to be counted in the district's average daily attendance calculation for state funding purposes.

Makes the average daily attendance provision applicable only when state appropriations for school funding equal or exceed the full entitlement calculation, and remains applicable in all subsequent years regardless of future appropriation levels.

Clarifies that this section does not require school attendance beyond existing state requirements and does not change existing kindergarten attendance provisions.