New Law Lowers Compulsory School Age from Seven to Six Years Old

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that lowers the compulsory school age for students in Illinois in order to ensure all children have the opportunity to build a solid foundation for academic achievement. The law will also help to combat truancy. Research shows that children who start school at an earlier age are less likely to drop out of school, be placed in special education or commit crimes, and more likely to attend college. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to prepare every child for success in college, career and beyond.

"Today is a good day for our students and for the future of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "The key to so many things in life is a quality education and this new law will ensure our students get an early start on their academic success."

Sponsored by State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester) and State Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), Senate Bill 1307 lowers the compulsory school attendance age from seven to six years of age beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Illinois joins 26 states that have set the compulsory attendance age at six years old. Eight states and the District of Columbia require students to begin school at age five. The law will also help to combat truancy.

Under the new law, any student turning six years old on or before Sept. 1 must be enrolled to attend school for that school year, starting in 2014. This legislation was introduced in part due to investigative reporting by the Chicago Tribune.

"Study after study has demonstrated that the earlier kids start school, the more likely they are to succeed," Senator Lightford said. "This law will help make sure all of our children are on the right path."

"This law will help children to develop the social and academic skills that will give them a better chance at success in the future," Representative Ford said. "It will also help to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds an equal opportunity to excel in the classroom. The early developmental stages are critical in a person's life, and Illinois cannot afford to put early education on the back burner."

The law will go into effect on July 1, 2014.

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth McCorkle, a Northern Arizona University SecEd-Earth Sci (BSED) major and resident of Hillsdale, IL, was among more than 4,500 students who made the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester.

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University has established a lasting legacy of educating students to help them make a difference in the world. With an expansive Extended Campuses program, the university has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students located at more than 30 sites across Arizona or online. The university is a leader in integrating sustainability into university policies and educational curriculum highlighted by the Platinum LEED-certified Applied Research and Development building, the third-greenest building in the world. More information is online at nau.edu

UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Anthony Lucio, from Muscatine, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May 2013 from Saginaw Valley State University.

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 90 programs of study for its more than 10,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to quality teaching in the classroom, field-based learning outside, NCAA Division II athletics and a broad range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to excel.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has conducted oversight of tax-exempt organizations including universities for years.  Most recently, he has focused on New York University (NYU), which gave perks to then-administrator Jack Lew including a home loan and a $685,000 severance payment.  NYU also has generated controversy by giving loans for second homes to select administrators and faculty, a practice it announced it would end amid public scrutiny.  Grassley made the following comment today on President Obama's outline of ideas to reduce college costs and student debt.

"I agree with President Obama on reducing college costs and student debt.  One area for consideration is college spending on high executive salaries and perks that drive up tuition without providing additional value for students.  For example, just before his promised resignation in 2016, New York University's president will receive a gold-plated severance package including a $2.5 million parting bonus and $800,000 a year.   This is on top of the beach house he bought with university help.  President Obama should use his bully pulpit to encourage more independent leadership from the boards that oversee tax-exempt universities.   NYU's president wouldn't have had help with his beach house if the board refused.  And I encourage President Obama to look at a bipartisan Senate bill that would help students and families understand the true cost of college and the different types of student aid.   The more students and parents become savvy shoppers, the more colleges would be forced to rein in rising costs to compete for students."

More information on the Understanding the True Cost of College Act, of which Grassley is the lead Republican sponsor, is available here.