{
 "_meta": {
  "built_on": "2026-08-03",
  "built_on_display_en": "Aug. 3, 2026",
  "built_on_display_es": "3 de agosto de 2026",
  "as_of_school_year": "2026-27",
  "source": "State statutes and regulations, verified per row; cross-referenced against Education Commission of the States",
  "ecs_free_compulsory_source": "ECS, 50-State Comparison: Free and Compulsory School Age Requirements (October 2025)",
  "ecs_free_compulsory_url": "https://reports.ecs.org/comparisons/free-and-compulsory-school-age-requirements-2025",
  "ecs_k3_source": "ECS, 50-State Comparison: State K-3 Policies (June 2023)",
  "ecs_k3_url": "https://reports.ecs.org/comparisons/state-k-3-policies-2023",
  "provenance_note": "NCES State Education Practices Table 1.2 and NCES Digest Table 234.10 both republish ECS data (per their own source notes) and are therefore NOT independent confirmation. Each row here was checked against the state's own statute or department-of-education page; the per-field source_url records which.",
  "universal_floor": "Nothing in this table conditions enrollment on immigration status. Under Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), every child residing in a state has the right to free public K-12 education regardless of their or their parents' immigration status, and under 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(C)(i) a child experiencing homelessness must be enrolled immediately even without records. These age rules apply identically to every child in the state.",
  "method": "For each of the 50 states and DC: the kindergarten entrance age cutoff (the date by which a child must turn 5), whether the state requires kindergarten attendance itself, the compulsory school attendance age range, and the maximum age to which free public education must be offered. Dates are MM-DD strings for a recurring annual rule; the on-or-before vs strictly-before boundary is recorded because it differs by one day. Where a state leaves entrance age to local districts the value is 'LEA-option', and where a statute sets no maximum age the value is 'not-specified-in-statute' — neither is null.",
  "maintenance_trigger": "Annual, mid-July to early August, before the back-to-school window opens 08-01. Re-pull ECS (both comparisons — check for a K-3 edition newer than June 2023) and re-verify any row whose value changed, plus any state with a legislative session that touched school-age statutes. Also re-verify every LEA-option row, since those flip when a legislature standardizes.",
  "disclaimer": "General information, not legal advice."
 },
 "summary": {
  "jurisdictions": 51,
  "most_common_cutoff": "09-01",
  "most_common_cutoff_count": 21,
  "lea_option_count": 5,
  "lea_option_states": [
   "AK",
   "CO",
   "MA",
   "NY",
   "PA"
  ],
  "kindergarten_required_count": 18,
  "kindergarten_required_states": [
   "AL",
   "AR",
   "CT",
   "DC",
   "DE",
   "HI",
   "LA",
   "MD",
   "NM",
   "NV",
   "OH",
   "OK",
   "RI",
   "SC",
   "SD",
   "TN",
   "VA",
   "WI"
  ],
  "no_statutory_max_age_count": 9,
  "no_statutory_max_age_states": [
   "DC",
   "FL",
   "IN",
   "KS",
   "MA",
   "NV",
   "RI",
   "TN",
   "VT"
  ],
  "free_to_20_or_21_count": 35,
  "sep1_boundary_split": {
   "on-or-before": 19,
   "strictly-before": 2
  },
  "cutoff_distribution": {
   "09-01": 21,
   "08-01": 7,
   "LEA-option": 5,
   "08-31": 4,
   "09-30": 3,
   "07-31": 2,
   "09-15": 1,
   "10-15": 1,
   "09-10": 1,
   "not-specified-in-statute": 1,
   "10-01": 1,
   "first-day-of-instruction": 1,
   "08-15": 1,
   "01-01": 1,
   "07-01": 1
  },
  "compulsory_start_distribution": {
   "5": 12,
   "6": 28,
   "7": 10,
   "8": 1
  },
  "compulsory_end_distribution": {
   "16": 16,
   "17": 9,
   "18": 25,
   "19": 1
  },
  "max_age_distribution": {
   "18": 1,
   "19": 4,
   "20": 8,
   "21": 27,
   "22": 2,
   "not-specified-in-statute": 9
  },
  "verification": {
   "rows_fully_statute_checked": 50,
   "statute_corrections": 13,
   "states_corrected": 10
  }
 },
 "jurisdictions": [
  {
   "state": "Alabama",
   "abbr": "AL",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Ala. Code § 16-28-4",
    "statute_text": "A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 or the date on which school begins in the enrolling district shall be entitled to admission to kindergarten in the public elementary schools (Ala. Code 16-28-4(a), as amended by Act 2024-347).",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-16-education/al-code-sect-16-28-4/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Ala. Code § 16-28-3",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislature.state.al.us/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2024RS/HB113-enr.pdf",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "Ala. Code § 16-28-3",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-16-education/al-code-sect-16-28-3/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 19,
    "citation": "Ala. Code § 16-28-4; ; Ala. Code § 16-11-16",
    "source_url": "https://reports.ecs.org/comparisons/free-and-compulsory-school-age-requirements-2025",
    "confidence": "single-source"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Alaska",
   "abbr": "AK",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "LEA-option",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "Alaska Stat. Ann. § 14.03.080",
    "statute_text": "NO statutory kindergarten entry age is in force for 2026-27 -- entry is at district discretion. AS 14.03.070: \"A child who is six years of age on or before September 1 following the beginning of the school year, and who is under the age of 20 and has not completed the 12th grade, is of school age.\" A 5-year-old is therefore UNDER school age, and AS 14.03.080(c) governs: \"A child under school age who is at least four years of age at the beginning of the school year may be admitted to a public school in the school district of which the child is a resident at the discretion of the governing body of the school district if the child meets minimum standards prescribed by the board evidencing that the child has the mental, physical, and emotional capacity to perform satisfactorily for the educational program being offered.\" The age-5 kindergarten rule ECS quotes is codified at AS 14.03.080(h) but is printed in the Alaska Statutes 2025 with the notation \"[Effective June 30, 2034.]\" -- i.e. it is NOT yet in force: \"(h) [Effective June 30, 2034.] A child who is five years of age on or before September 1 following the beginning of the school year, and who is under school age, may enter a public school kindergarten.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&type=fetch&secStart=14.03.070",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Alaska Stat. Ann. § 14.03.010",
    "source_url": "https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&type=fetch&secStart=14.30.005",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Alaska Stat. Ann. § 14.30.010",
    "source_url": "https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&type=fetch&secStart=14.30.005",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 6,
    "max_age": 19,
    "citation": "Alaska Stat. Ann. § 14.03.080; ; Alaska Stat. Ann. § 14.03.070",
    "source_url": "https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&type=fetch&secStart=14.03.016",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Arizona",
   "abbr": "AZ",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "strictly-before",
    "citation": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-821",
    "statute_text": "A.R.S. 15-821(C): \"If a kindergarten program is maintained, a child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if the child is five years of age. A child is deemed five years of age if the child reaches the age of five BEFORE September 1 of the current school year.\" Governing board may admit under-age children if in the best interest of the child, but such children \"must reach the required age of five for kindergarten and six for first grade by January 1 of the current school year.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00821.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-821",
    "source_url": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 15-802",
    "source_url": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 15-821; ; Ariz. Const. art. XI, § 6",
    "source_url": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00821.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Arkansas",
   "abbr": "AR",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-207",
    "statute_text": "Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-207(a)(1): \"A student may enter kindergarten in the public schools of this state if he or she will attain the age of five (5) years on or before August 1 of the year in which he or she is seeking initial enrollment.\" (a)(2)-(3) allow out-of-state/foreign kindergarten transfers and military/custody-move children who will turn 5 during the year to enroll on written request.",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-6-education/ar-code-sect-6-18-207/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-6-education/ar-code-sect-6-18-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-6-education/ar-code-sect-6-18-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-202; ; Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-207",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-6-education/ar-code-sect-6-18-202/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "California",
   "abbr": "CA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Cal. Educ. Code § 48000",
    "statute_text": "Cal. Educ. Code 48000(a): \"A child shall be admitted to a kindergarten maintained by the school district at the beginning of a school year, or at a later time in the same year, if the child will have their fifth birthday on or before one of the following dates: ... (4) September 1 of the 2014-15 school year and each school year thereafter.\" Subdivision (b) allows case-by-case early admission of a child who turns five later in the school year, with parent approval and a governing-board best-interest finding.",
    "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&sectionNum=48000",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Cal. Educ. Code § 48200",
    "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB70",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Cal. Educ. Code § 48200",
    "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&sectionNum=48200",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Cal. Educ. Code § 48000; ; Cal. Educ. Code § 46300.1",
    "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&sectionNum=46300.1",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Colorado",
   "abbr": "CO",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "LEA-option",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "1 Colo. Code Regs. §22-54-103",
    "statute_text": "LEA-option. C.R.S. 22-1-115: 'School age is any age over five and under twenty-one years; but any child attaining school age during the school year may be admitted to school subject to the requirements for admission fixed by the school board of the district in which he or she applies for enrollment.' No statewide kindergarten entry date. C.R.S. 22-54-103(1)(a)(I)(A) sets October 1 only as the FUNDING count date ('Five years old as of October 1 of the applicable budget year').",
    "source_url": "https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_22-1-115",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22-32-119.5",
    "source_url": "https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_22-33-104",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22-33-104",
    "source_url": "https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_22-33-104",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22-1-102; ; Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22-1-115",
    "source_url": "https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_22-1-115",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Connecticut",
   "abbr": "CT",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 10-15c",
    "statute_text": "Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 10-15c(a): \"The public schools shall be open to all children five years of age and over who reach age five on or before the first day of September of any school year ... provided a child who has not reached the age of five on or before the first day of September of the school year may be admitted (1) upon a written request by the parent or guardian of such child to the principal of the school in which such child would be enrolled, and (2) following an assessment of such child, conducted by such principal and an appropriate certified staff member of the school, to ensure that admitting such child is developmentally appropriate.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_164.htm",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 10-184; Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 10-15c",
    "source_url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_168.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 10-184",
    "source_url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_168.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 10-186",
    "source_url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_168.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Delaware",
   "abbr": "DE",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-31",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Del. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 2702",
    "statute_text": "14 Del. C. 2702(b): \"a child shall be considered 5 years of age if that child celebrates the child's fifth birthday according to the following schedule: ... Subsequent school years - Fifth birthday ON OR BEFORE August 31 of the respective year. Local school authorities may grant exceptions to the above schedule for entry into school if they determine that such exception is in the best interest of the child.\"",
    "source_url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c027/sc01/index.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Del. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 2702",
    "source_url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c027/sc01/index.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Del. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 2702",
    "source_url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c027/sc01/index.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Del. Code Ann. tit. 14, § 202",
    "source_url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c002/sc01/index.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "District of Columbia",
   "abbr": "DC",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-30",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "D.C. Code Ann. § 38-202",
    "statute_text": "D.C. Code § 38-202(a): parent/guardian of \"a minor who has reached the age of 5 years or will become 5 years of age on or before September 30th of the current school year shall place the minor in regular attendance in an educational institution during the period of each year when the public schools of the District are in session.\"",
    "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-202",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "D.C. Code Ann. § 38-202",
    "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-202",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "D.C. Code Ann. § 38-202",
    "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-202",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5-E, § 2000; ; D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5-E, § 2004",
    "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-302",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Florida",
   "abbr": "FL",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1003.21",
    "statute_text": "Fla. Stat. 1003.21(1)(a)2.: \"Children who will have attained the age of 5 years on or before September 1 of the school year are eligible for admission to public kindergartens during that school year under rules adopted by the district school board.\" 1003.21(4) requires the principal to require evidence of age before admitting a child to kindergarten. 1003.21(2)(a) lets the State Board adopt rules for transfer of students not meeting the entrance age from another state.",
    "source_url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/1003.21",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1003.21",
    "source_url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/1003.21",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1003.21",
    "source_url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/1003.21",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1003.21",
    "source_url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/1003.21",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Georgia",
   "abbr": "GA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-151; Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-150",
    "statute_text": "Ga. Code 20-2-150(a): 'all children and youth who have attained the age of five years by September 1 shall be eligible for enrollment'. Ga. SBOE Rule 160-5-1-.28(2)(a)1.(i): 'Students who have attained the age of five by September 1 shall be eligible to enroll in the appropriate general education programs unless they attain the age of 21 by September 1'.",
    "source_url": "https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/160-5-1",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-20-education/ga-code-sect-20-2-690-1/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-690.1",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-20-education/ga-code-sect-20-2-690-1/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "Ga. Code Ann. § 20-2-150",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-20-education/ga-code-sect-20-2-150/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Hawaii",
   "abbr": "HI",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "07-31",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 302A-411; Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 311D-1",
    "statute_text": "HRS Sec. 302A-411(b): \"Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, any parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for, or care of, a child who will be at least five years of age on or before July 31 of the school year shall enroll the child in a public school kindergarten unless the child is enrolled at a private school or the child's attendance is otherwise exempt under section 302A-1132.\" Same language repeated at HRS Sec. 302A-1132(c).",
    "source_url": "https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0302A/HRS_0302A-0411.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 302A-1132",
    "source_url": "https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0302A/HRS_0302A-0411.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 302A-1132",
    "source_url": "https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0302A/HRS_0302A-1132.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 302A-1134",
    "source_url": "https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0302A/HRS_0302A-1134.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Idaho",
   "abbr": "ID",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Idaho Code Ann. §33-201",
    "statute_text": "Idaho Code 33-201: \"the age of five (5) years shall be attained when the fifth anniversary of birth occurs ON OR BEFORE the first day of September of the school year in which the child is to enroll in kindergarten. For a child enrolling in the first grade, the age of six (6) years must be reached on or before the first day of September.\"",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/id/title-33-education/id-st-sect-33-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Idaho Code Ann. § 33.208",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/id/title-33-education/id-st-sect-33-202/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Idaho Code Ann. § 33-202",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/id/title-33-education/id-st-sect-33-202/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Idaho Code Ann. § 33-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/id/title-33-education/id-st-sect-33-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Illinois",
   "abbr": "IL",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/10-20.12",
    "statute_text": "105 ILCS 5/10-20.12: \"children who will attain the age of 5 years on or before September 1 of the year of the 1990-1991 school term and each school term thereafter may attend school upon the commencement of such term.\" Full-year-calendar districts: \"children who will attain age 5 within 30 days after the commencement of a term may attend school upon the commencement of such term.\" Districts may also admit earlier \"[b]ased upon an assessment of a child's readiness to attend school.\"",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260122062706/https://ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050K10-20.12.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/10-20.12",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260316225623/https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050K26-1.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/26-1",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260316225623/https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050K26-1.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/10-20.12; ; 105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/34-19",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260122062706/https://ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050K10-20.12.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Indiana",
   "abbr": "IN",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Ind. Code Ann. § 20-33-2-7",
    "statute_text": "Ind. Code 20-33-2-7(a): a student must be at least five (5) years of age on August 1 of the school year to officially enroll in a kindergarten program; a school corporation may adopt a procedure for a parent to appeal to the superintendent for earlier enrollment. 20-33-2-7(b): if a student enrolls under section 6 without having attended kindergarten, the superintendent determines placement (kindergarten or grade 1) using an adopted model assessment.",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-20-education/in-code-sect-20-33-2-7/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Ind. Code Ann. § 20-33-2-8",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-20-education/in-code-sect-20-33-2-8/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Ind. Code Ann. § 20-33-2-6",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-20-education/in-code-sect-20-33-2-6/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Ind. Code Ann. § 20-33-2-7",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-20-education/in-code-sect-20-33-2-7/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Iowa",
   "abbr": "IA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-15",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Iowa Code Ann. § 282.3",
    "statute_text": "Iowa Code 282.3(2)(b): 'No child shall be admitted to school work for the year immediately preceding the first grade unless the child is five years of age on or before the fifteenth of September of the current school year.' 282.3(3): 'This section does not prohibit a school board from requiring the attainment of a greater age than the age requirements set forth in this section.'",
    "source_url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/282.3.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Iowa Code Ann. § 282.3",
    "source_url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/299.1A.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Iowa Code Ann. § 299.1A",
    "source_url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/299.1A.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Iowa Code Ann. § 282.1",
    "source_url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/282.1.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Kansas",
   "abbr": "KS",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-31",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-3118",
    "statute_text": "K.S.A. 72-3118(c): \"subject to the provisions of subsection (d), any child is eligible to attend kindergarten in the school district in which the child resides ... if (1) for the 1994-95 school year, the child will attain the age of five years on or before September 1 of the school year and (2) for any school year commencing after the 1994-95 school year, the child will attain the age of five years on or before August 31 of the school year\"; (d) \"any child who was a resident in another state and who, while residing in such other state, had entered and was in attendance in kindergarten in such state shall be eligible to attend kindergarten in this state, regardless of age.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch72/072_031_0018.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-3120",
    "source_url": "https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch72/072_031_0020.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-3120",
    "source_url": "https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch72/072_031_0020.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-3118; ; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-4348",
    "source_url": "https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch72/072_031_0022.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Kentucky",
   "abbr": "KY",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.030",
    "statute_text": "KRS 158.030(2): \"Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, any child who is six (6) years of age, or who may become six (6) years of age BY August 1, shall attend public school or qualify for an exemption as provided by KRS 159.030. Any child who is five (5) years of age, or who may become five (5) years of age BY August 1, may enter a primary school program, as defined in KRS 158.031.\" KRS 158.030(3): each local board shall adopt a policy permitting a parent to petition for admission of a student who does not meet the age requirement, including a readiness evaluation process.",
    "source_url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=44468",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.030",
    "source_url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=44468",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159.010",
    "source_url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=46050",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.030; ; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.100",
    "source_url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55953",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Louisiana",
   "abbr": "LA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-30",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "La. Stat. Ann. § 17:151.3",
    "statute_text": "La. R.S. 17:151.3(A): boards shall offer \"full-day kindergarten instruction to each child who turns five years of age on or before September thirtieth of the calendar year in which the school year begins.\" (B) a younger child may enter kindergarten by local rule only if evaluated and identified as gifted.",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260311224955/https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=79863",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "La. Stat. Ann. § 17:151.3",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260311224955/https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=79863",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "La. Stat. Ann. § 17:221",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260421142100/https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=80276",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "La. Stat. Ann. § 17:221; ; La. Stat. Ann. § 17:151.3",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260421142100/https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=80276",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Maine",
   "abbr": "ME",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "10-15",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, § 5201",
    "statute_text": "20-A M.R.S. 5201(2)(B): \"A person who will be at least 5 years old on October 15th of the school year may enroll in school.\" 5201(2)(C): a person at least 4 on October 15th may enroll in a public preschool program prior to kindergarten if offered. 5201(3)(B): a person who has enrolled in a public kindergarten or grade one in another state may enroll in kindergarten or grade one in the SAU where the parent/guardian becomes a resident.",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5201.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, § 5001A",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5001-A.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, § 5001-A",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5001-A.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, § 5201",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5201.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Maryland",
   "abbr": "MD",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Md. Code Regs. 13A.08.01.02",
    "statute_text": "COMAR 13A.08.01.02B(2): 'Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year and each school year thereafter, a child admitted to the kindergarten program in the public schools shall be 5 years old or older on September 1 of the school year in which the child applies for entrance.'",
    "source_url": "https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/4/comar_age_for_school_attendance_regulations_v1.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 7-301; Md. Code Regs. 13A.08.01.02-2",
    "source_url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged&section=7-301&enactments=false",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 7-301",
    "source_url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged&section=7-301&enactments=false",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 7-101",
    "source_url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged&section=7-101&enactments=false",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Massachusetts",
   "abbr": "MA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "LEA-option",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "603 Mass. Code Regs. 8.02",
    "statute_text": "603 CMR 8.02: \"Each child must attend school beginning in September of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of six. Each school committee may establish its own minimum permissible age for school attendance, provided that such age is not older than the mandatory minimum age established by 603 CMR 8.00.\" There is no statewide kindergarten entry date -- the minimum permissible age is set by each school committee.",
    "source_url": "https://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr8.html?section=02",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "603 Mass. Code Regs. 8.02",
    "source_url": "https://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr8.html?section=01",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "603 Mass. Code Regs. 8.02 ; School Finance: School Choice",
    "source_url": "https://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr8.html?section=02",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": "LEA-option",
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 76, § 1 ; Kindergarten Entry Age",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/2025id_/https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter76/Section5",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Michigan",
   "abbr": "MI",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "M.C.L.A. 380.1147",
    "statute_text": "MCL 380.1147(2): \"beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, a child who is at least 5 years of age ON September 1 of the school year of enrollment and who resides in the school district may enroll in kindergarten.\" (3): if the child is not 5 on that date \"but will be 5 years of age not later than December 1 of a school year\", the parent may enroll the child on written notice; the school may recommend against it, \"However, regardless of this recommendation, the parent or legal guardian retains the sole discretion to determine whether or not to enroll the child in kindergarten.\"",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/mi/chapter-380-school-code-of-1976/mi-comp-laws-380-1147/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "M.C.L.A. 380.1147",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/mi/chapter-380-school-code-of-1976/mi-comp-laws-380-1561/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 380.1561",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/mi/chapter-380-school-code-of-1976/mi-comp-laws-380-1561/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 380.1147; ; Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 388.1606",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/mi/chapter-388-schools-and-school-aid/mi-comp-laws-388-1606/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Minnesota",
   "abbr": "MN",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Minn. Stat. Ann. § 120A.20; Minn. Stat. Ann. § 124D.02",
    "statute_text": "Minn. Stat. § 120A.20 subd. 1(b): \"A person shall not be admitted to a public school (1) as a kindergarten pupil, unless the pupil is at least five years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences\" — \"except that any school board may establish a policy for admission of selected pupils at an earlier age under section 124D.02.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/120A.20",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Minn. Stat. Ann. § 124D.02",
    "source_url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/120A.22",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "Minn. Stat. Ann. § 120A.22",
    "source_url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/120A.22",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Minn. Stat. Ann. § 120A.20",
    "source_url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/120A.20",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Mississippi",
   "abbr": "MS",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Miss. Code. Ann. § 37-15-9",
    "statute_text": "Miss. Code Ann. 37-15-9(1): \"no child shall be enrolled or admitted to any kindergarten which is a part of a public school during any school year unless such child will reach his fifth birthday on or before September 1\"; and \"no child shall be enrolled or admitted to the first grade in any public school during any school year unless such child will reach his sixth birthday on or before September 1.\" 37-15-9(2) permits an exception for children transferring from an out-of-state school whose home state had a later enrollment date.",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-37-education/ms-code-sect-37-15-9/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Miss. Code. Ann. § 37-13-91",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-37-education/ms-code-sect-37-13-91/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "Miss. Code. Ann. § 37-13-91",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-37-education/ms-code-sect-37-13-91/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Miss. Code. Ann. § 37-15-9; ; Miss. Code. Ann. § 37-45-1",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-37-education/ms-code-sect-37-45-1/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Missouri",
   "abbr": "MO",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "strictly-before",
    "citation": "Mo. Ann. Stat. § 160.051; Mo. Ann. Stat. § 160.054",
    "statute_text": "Mo. Rev. Stat. 160.053, per Missouri DESE: 'A child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if the child reaches the age of five (5) BEFORE the first day of August of the school year beginning in that calendar year.' Note the cutoff is EXCLUSIVE - the child must turn 5 on or before July 31, not on August 1.",
    "source_url": "https://dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/kindergarten-first-grade-entry",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Mo. Ann. Stat. § 160.053",
    "source_url": "https://dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/freqaskques/Attendance",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "Mo. Ann. Stat. § 167.031",
    "source_url": "https://dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/freqaskques/Attendance",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Mo. Ann. Stat. § 160.051",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/mo/title-xi-education-and-libraries/mo-rev-st-160-051/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Montana",
   "abbr": "MT",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-10",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Mont. Code Ann. § 20-7-117",
    "statute_text": "MCA 20-7-117(1): \"The trustees of an elementary district shall establish or make available a kindergarten program capable of accommodating, at a minimum, all the children in the district who will be 5 years old on or before September 10 of the school year for which the program is to be conducted or who have been admitted through the exceptional circumstances provision under 20-5-101 by the board of trustees.\" MCA 20-5-101(1)(a): trustees shall admit a child who is \"5 years of age or older on or before September 10 of the year in which the child is to enroll but is not yet 19 years of age.\"",
    "source_url": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0070/part_0010/section_0170/0200-0070-0010-0170.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-102",
    "source_url": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0020/0200-0050-0010-0020.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-102",
    "source_url": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0020/0200-0050-0010-0020.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 19,
    "citation": "Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-101; ; Mont. Code Ann. § 20-7-117",
    "source_url": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0010/0200-0050-0010-0010.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Nebraska",
   "abbr": "NE",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "07-31",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-214",
    "statute_text": "Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-214(1)(a): \"the school board of any school district shall not admit any child into the kindergarten of any school of such school district unless such child has reached the age of five years ON OR BEFORE July 31 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the child is seeking admission begins.\" (1)(b): the board SHALL admit a child who will reach 5 on or after August 1 and on or before October 15 if the parent requests and provides an affidavit that (i) the child attended kindergarten in another jurisdiction in the current school year, (ii) the family anticipates relocation to another jurisdiction that would allow admission within the current year, or (iii) the child is capable of carrying the work of kindergarten, demonstrated through a board-approved assessment procedure.",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ne/chapter-79-schools/ne-rev-st-sect-79-214/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ne/chapter-79-schools/ne-rev-st-sect-79-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ne/chapter-79-schools/ne-rev-st-sect-79-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Neb. Const. art. VII, § 1",
    "source_url": "UNVERIFIED - could not fetch Neb. Const. art. VII, sec. 1",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Nevada",
   "abbr": "NV",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 392.040",
    "statute_text": "NRS 392.040(2): \"A child who is 5 years of age on or before August 1 of the school year, or if August 1 does not occur during the school year, on or before August 1 preceding the school year, may be admitted to kindergarten at the beginning of that school year... If a child is not 5 years of age on or before August 1 ... the child must not be admitted to kindergarten.\"",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260531225811/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-392.html",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 392.040",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260531225811/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-392.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 392.040",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260531225811/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-392.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 392.040",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260531225811/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-392.html",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "New Hampshire",
   "abbr": "NH",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "",
    "statute_text": "not specified in statute - LEA-option. NH RSA 189:1-a (Duty to Provide Education) sets no kindergarten entrance age or date cutoff, and no other RSA does. The only age-date rule in the compulsory chapter is RSA 193:1, II: \"A child who reaches the sixth birthday after September 30 shall not be required to attend school under the provisions of this section until the following school year\" - that is a compulsory-attendance deferral, NOT a kindergarten entrance cutoff. Districts set their own kindergarten entrance dates.",
    "source_url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XV/189/189-1-a.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §193:1",
    "source_url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XV/193/193-1.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 193:1",
    "source_url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XV/193/193-1.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": "LEA-option",
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 189:1-a",
    "source_url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XV/189/189-1-a.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "New Jersey",
   "abbr": "NJ",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "10-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "N.J. Admin. Code § 18A:38-5",
    "statute_text": "N.J.S.A. 18A:38-5, per NJDOE: 'A student must be 5 years old by October 1 in order to have a statutory right to enrollment where a kindergarten program is offered by a public school.' Age exemptions/waivers: 'Opt-in: Age 5, local school board decision' - a district board may adopt a policy admitting students who are still 4 on October 1.",
    "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/education/earlychildhood/grkto3/docs/Kindergarten%20FAQ.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "N.J. Admin. Code §6A:13-3.2",
    "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/education/earlychildhood/grkto3/docs/Kindergarten%20FAQ.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:38-25",
    "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/education/earlychildhood/grkto3/docs/Kindergarten%20FAQ.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:38-1",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/nj/title-18a-education/nj-st-sect-18a-38-1/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "New Mexico",
   "abbr": "NM",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "strictly-before",
    "citation": "N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-1-2; N.M. Admin. Code 6.30.5.9",
    "statute_text": "NMSA 1978 Sec. 22-1-2(R): \"'school-age person' means a person who is at least five years of age prior to 12:01 a.m. on September 1 of the school year, who has not received a high school diploma or its equivalent and who has not reached the person's twenty-second birthday on the first day of the school year and meets other criteria provided in the Public School Finance Act\". Corroborated at 6.30.5.9(A) NMAC: \"A student must be at least five years of age prior to 12:01 a.m., on September 1 of that school year (Subsection M of Section 22-8-2 NMSA 1978) to participate in a full-day kindergarten program.\"",
    "source_url": "https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/4368/1/document.do",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-1-2; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-12A-4",
    "source_url": "https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/4368/1/document.do",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-12A-4",
    "source_url": "https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/4368/1/document.do",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 22,
    "citation": "N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-8-2",
    "source_url": "https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/4368/1/document.do",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "New York",
   "abbr": "NY",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "LEA-option",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 8, § 125.9",
    "statute_text": "LEA-option. N.Y. Educ. Law 1712(1): \"The board of education of each school district may maintain kindergartens which shall be free to resident children between the ages of four and six years ... provided, however, such board may fix a higher minimum age for admission to such kindergartens.\" NYSED Family FAQs: \"For districts that maintain a kindergarten, Section 1712(1) of Education Law allows districts to choose the age of kindergarten entry to be between four and six years of age, and permits boards to fix a higher minimum age for admission to such kindergartens.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/1712",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "N.Y. Educ. Law § 3205",
    "source_url": "https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/early-learning/family-faqs.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "N.Y. Educ. Law § 3205",
    "source_url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/3205",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "N.Y. Educ. Law § 3202",
    "source_url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/3202",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "North Carolina",
   "abbr": "NC",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-31",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-364",
    "statute_text": "N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-364(a): a child presented for enrollment in the first 120 days of a school year \"is entitled to initial entry into the public schools if: (1) The child reaches or reached the age of 5 on or before August 31 of that school year\"; (a)(2)-(3) cover children already attending school in another state and military-dependent children. (c): \"The initial point of entry into the public school system shall be at the kindergarten level.\"",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20250419192142/https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-364.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-378",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260606140125/https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-378.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-378",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260606140125/https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-378.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-364; ; N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-1",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260214190106/https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-1.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "North Dakota",
   "abbr": "ND",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "strictly-before",
    "citation": "N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 15.1-06-01",
    "statute_text": "N.D.C.C. 15.1-06-01(1)(b): a child \"may not enroll in kindergarten unless the child reaches the age of five before August first of the year of enrollment.\" 15.1-06-01(3): a district \"may not enroll in kindergarten a child who is not five years old before August first unless the child will be five years old before December first and the child, by means of developmental and readiness screening instruments approved by the superintendent of public instruction and administered by the school district, can demonstrate superior academic talents or abilities and social and emotional readiness.\"",
    "source_url": "https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t15-1c06.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 15.1-22-01",
    "source_url": "https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t15-1c20.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 15.1-20-01",
    "source_url": "https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t15-1c20.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § 15.1-06-01",
    "source_url": "https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t15-1c06.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Ohio",
   "abbr": "OH",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "first-day-of-instruction",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3321.01",
    "statute_text": "ORC 3321.01(A)(1), as amended by H.B. 114 (signed December 19, 2025; effective March 20, 2026): 'Each school district board of education shall admit to kindergarten any student who is five or, for a student who has not completed first grade, six years of age by the first day of instruction of the school year of admittance.' There is NO fixed calendar cutoff date any more - the cutoff is the district's own first day of instruction. Applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/oh/title-xxxiii-education-libraries/oh-rev-code-sect-3321-01/",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3321.01",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/oh/title-xxxiii-education-libraries/oh-rev-code-sect-3321-01/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3321.01",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/oh/title-xxxiii-education-libraries/oh-rev-code-sect-3321-01/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 22,
    "citation": "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3313.64",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/oh/title-xxxiii-education-libraries/oh-rev-code-sect-3313-64/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Oklahoma",
   "abbr": "OK",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70, § 18-108; Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70, § 1-114",
    "statute_text": "70 O.S. Sec. 1-114(C): \"No child shall be enrolled in kindergarten unless he or she will have reached the age of five (5) years on or before September 1 of the school year. No child shall be enrolled in the first grade unless he or she will have reached the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of the school year.\" Same date in 70 O.S. Sec. 18-108(C): every district must offer kindergarten free of tuition \"for every child residing in the district who attains the age of five (5) years on or before the first day of September during the school year such kindergarten is offered.\"",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/2023id_/https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=89752",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70, § 10-105",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/2025id_/https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=90120",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70, § 10-105",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/2025id_/https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=90120",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70, § 1-114",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/2023id_/https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=89752",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Oregon",
   "abbr": "OR",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 336.092; Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 336.095",
    "statute_text": "ORS 336.092(1): \"'Kindergarten child' means a child five years of age or whose fifth birthday occurs ON OR BEFORE September 1 or who has been admitted by the district school board under ORS 336.095(3).\" ORS 336.095(3): nothing prevents a board from \"admitting free of charge a child who is a resident of the district and whose needs for cognitive, social and physical development would best be met in the school program, as defined by policies of the district school board, even though the child has not attained the minimum age requirement.\"",
    "source_url": "https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_336.092",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 336.020",
    "source_url": "https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_339.010",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 339.010",
    "source_url": "https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_339.010",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 19,
    "citation": "Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 339.115",
    "source_url": "https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_339.115",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Pennsylvania",
   "abbr": "PA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "LEA-option",
    "boundary": null,
    "citation": "22 Pa Code § 11.14",
    "statute_text": "22 Pa. Code § 11.14: \"When kindergarten is provided, the board of school directors shall establish the district's minimum entry age to kindergarten. The minimum entry age to kindergarten may not be less than 4 years, no months, before the first day of the school term. The district's maximum entry age to kindergarten must be less than the district's entry age for beginners.\" Entry age is therefore set locally, subject to that floor.",
    "source_url": "https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/022/chapter11/s11.14.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "22 Pa. Code § 5-503",
    "source_url": "https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/022/chapter11/s11.15.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "24 P.S. § 13-1326",
    "source_url": "https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/022/chapter11/s11.13.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": "LEA-option",
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "24 P.S. § 13-1301",
    "source_url": "https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/022/chapter11/s11.12.html",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Rhode Island",
   "abbr": "RI",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "16 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 16-2-27",
    "statute_text": "R.I. Gen. Laws 16-2-27: \"Every child who has attained, or will have attained, five (5) years of age on or before September 1 of any school year shall be eligible to attend kindergarten during all the days that the kindergartens are in session during the school year.\"",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-16-education/ri-gen-laws-sect-16-2-27/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "16 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 16-2-28",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-16-education/ri-gen-laws-sect-16-2-27/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 16-19-1",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-16-education/ri-gen-laws-sect-16-19-1/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 16-2-27",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-16-education/ri-gen-laws-sect-16-2-27/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "South Carolina",
   "abbr": "SC",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "S.C. Code Ann. § 59-63-20",
    "statute_text": "S.C. Code 59-63-20(3): 'Students may enter kindergarten in the public schools of this State if they will attain the age of five on or before September first of the applicable school year or have substantially initiated a public school kindergarten program in another state that has a different attendance age requirement from South Carolina'.",
    "source_url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "S.C. Code Ann. § 59-65-10",
    "source_url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c065.php",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "S.C. Code Ann. § 59-65-10",
    "source_url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c065.php",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "S.C. Code Ann. § 59-63-20",
    "source_url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "South Dakota",
   "abbr": "SD",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "S.D. Codified Laws § 13-28-2",
    "statute_text": "SDCL 13-28-2: \"Any child who is five years old on the first day of September is eligible for enrollment in kindergarten during that school year. Any child who transfers from another state may proceed in a continuous educational program without interruption.\"",
    "source_url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/Statute/13-28-2",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-1",
    "source_url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/Statute/13-27-1",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-1",
    "source_url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/Statute/13-27-1",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "S.D. Codified Laws § 13-28-2; ; S.D. Codified Laws § 13-28-5",
    "source_url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/Statute/13-28-5",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Tennessee",
   "abbr": "TN",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-15",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-201; Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3001",
    "statute_text": "T.C.A. 49-6-201(b)(3): \"Children entering kindergarten must be five (5) years of age ON OR BEFORE August 15 each school year.\" Early entry, T.C.A. 49-6-3001(b)(2)(B): \"if the director of schools finds through evaluation and testing, at the request of the parent or legal guardian, that a child who is five (5) years of age on or before September 30 is sufficiently mature emotionally and academically, then the child may be permitted to enter kindergarten.\" 49-6-3001(b)(2)(A): a child who will not become 5 until after December 31 shall not enter school that year.",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-49-education/tn-code-sect-49-6-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-49-education/tn-code-sect-49-6-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3001",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-49-education/tn-code-sect-49-6-3001/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3001",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-49-education/tn-code-sect-49-6-3001/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Texas",
   "abbr": "TX",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 29.151; Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 48.003",
    "statute_text": "Tex. Educ. Code § 25.001(a): entitlement keys on \"[a] person who, on the first day of September of any school year, is at least five years of age and under 21 years of age.\" § 25.001(b) directs districts to admit free of tuition \"a person who is over five and younger than 21 years of age on the first day of September of the school year in which admission is sought.\"",
    "source_url": "https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 42.003",
    "source_url": "https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 19,
    "citation": "Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 25.085",
    "source_url": "https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 25.001",
    "source_url": "https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Utah",
   "abbr": "UT",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Utah Code Ann. §53G-4-402; Utah Code Ann.§ 53E-3-905",
    "statute_text": "Utah Code 53G-4-402: \"a local school board may enroll children in school who are at least five years old before September 2 of the year in which admission is sought.\" ('at least five years old before September 2' = 5th birthday on or before September 1.)",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-53g-public-education-system-local-administration/ut-code-sect-53g-4-402/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "U.C.A. 1953 § 53G-7-203",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-53g-public-education-system-local-administration/ut-code-sect-53g-7-203/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Utah Code Ann. § 53G-6-201",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-53g-public-education-system-local-administration/ut-code-sect-53g-6-201/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 18,
    "citation": "Utah Code Ann. § 53G-7-502",
    "source_url": "https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-53g-public-education-system-local-administration/ut-code-sect-53g-7-502/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Vermont",
   "abbr": "VT",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "01-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 16, § 1073",
    "statute_text": "16 V.S.A. 1073(a): \"'Legal pupil' means an individual who has attained the age of five years ON OR BEFORE January 1 next following the beginning of the school year. However, a school district may require that students admitted to kindergarten have attained the age of five on or before any date between August 31 and January 1.\"",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/16/025/01073",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 16, § 1121",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/16/025/01121",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 16, § 1121",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/16/025/01121",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": "not-specified-in-statute",
    "citation": "Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 16, § 1073",
    "source_url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/16/025/01073",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Virginia",
   "abbr": "VA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-30",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-199",
    "statute_text": "Va. Code Sec. 22.1-199(A): the \"kindergarten program in each school division shall include a program suitable for children who will reach their fifth birthday on or before September 30\"; and \"children whose fifth birthday occurs between October 1 and December 31 of the school year may be enrolled in kindergarten after an appropriate readiness evaluation.\" Va. Code Sec. 22.1-1 defines \"person of school age\" as \"A person who will have reached his fifth birthday on or before September 30 of the school year and who has not reached twenty years of age on or before August 1 of the school year.\"",
    "source_url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter13/section22.1-199/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Va. Code Ann. §22.1-254",
    "source_url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14/section22.1-254/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 5,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-254",
    "source_url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14/section22.1-254/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-1",
    "source_url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter1/section22.1-1/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Washington",
   "abbr": "WA",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-31",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Wash. Admin. Code 392-335-010; Wash. Admin. Code 392-335-025",
    "statute_text": "WAC 392-335-010 (Uniform entry age for kindergarten): \"Except as provided in WAC 392-335-025, a child must be five years of age as of MIDNIGHT AUGUST 31 of the year of entry to be entitled to enter kindergarten.\" Authority: RCW 28A.225.160(1) - districts \"may establish uniform entry qualifications, including but not limited to birthdate requirements, for admission to kindergarten and first grade ... Such rules may provide for individualized exceptions based upon the ability, or the need, or both, of an individual student.\"",
    "source_url": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=392-335-010",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.225.010",
    "source_url": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.225.015",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 8,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.225.010",
    "source_url": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.225.010",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.225.160",
    "source_url": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.225.160",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "West Virginia",
   "abbr": "WV",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "07-01",
    "boundary": "strictly-before",
    "citation": "W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-5-18; W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-8-1a",
    "statute_text": "W. Va. Code § 18-5-18(b): \"Beginning in the school year 2019-2020, county boards shall provide kindergarten programs for all children who have attained the age of five prior to July 1 of the school year in which the pupil enters the kindergarten program...\" (§ 18-5-18(a) preserves the superseded September 1 version.) § 18-8-1a(d) allows a county board to provide advanced entrance or placement for a child who demonstrates sufficient mental and physical competency.",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251211145151/https://code.wvlegislature.gov/18-5-18/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-5-18",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251211004113/https://code.wvlegislature.gov/18-8-1a/",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 17,
    "citation": "W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-8-1a",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251211004113/https://code.wvlegislature.gov/18-8-1a/",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-5-18; ; W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-5-15",
    "source_url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20251118001700/https://code.wvlegislature.gov/18-5-15/",
    "confidence": "statute-corrected"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Wisconsin",
   "abbr": "WI",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "09-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Wis. Stat. Ann. § 118.14",
    "statute_text": "Wis. Stat. 118.14(1)(a), as quoted by the Wisconsin DPI: \"To be eligible for 4-year-old kindergarten, a child must be 4 on or by September 1 of the school year. To be eligible for 5-year-old kindergarten, a child must be 5 on or by September 1 of the school year.\" First grade requires age 6 on or before September 1. A school board may establish procedures, conditions and standards for early admission.",
    "source_url": "https://dpi.wi.gov/early-childhood/kind/admission",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": true,
    "citation": "Wis. Stat. Ann. § 118.33",
    "source_url": "https://dpi.wi.gov/early-childhood/kind/admission",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 6,
    "end": 18,
    "citation": "Wis. Stat. Ann. § 118.15",
    "source_url": "https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/schlattendqa.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 4,
    "max_age": 20,
    "citation": "Wis. Const. art. X, § 3",
    "source_url": "https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment/funding/tuition-waivers",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  },
  {
   "state": "Wyoming",
   "abbr": "WY",
   "kindergarten_cutoff": {
    "value": "08-01",
    "boundary": "on-or-before",
    "citation": "Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 21-4-302",
    "statute_text": "W.S. 21-4-302(b): 'A pupil may register in kindergarten in the public schools of this state in the year in which his fifth birthday falls on or before August 1, or September 15 if pursuant to an approved request under W.S. 21-3-110(a)(xxxviii).'",
    "source_url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title21.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "kindergarten_required": {
    "value": false,
    "citation": "Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 21-4-102",
    "source_url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title21.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "compulsory_ages": {
    "start": 7,
    "end": 16,
    "citation": "Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 21-4-102",
    "source_url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title21.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   },
   "free_education": {
    "min_age": 5,
    "max_age": 21,
    "citation": "Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 21-4-301",
    "source_url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title21.pdf",
    "confidence": "two-source-verified"
   }
  }
 ]
}