GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A bill that lets Georgia parents keep their 6-year-old in kindergarten instead of being forced into first grade passed the state legislature Tuesday night and is now headed to the governor.
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House Bill 1048, written by State Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), prevents school districts from placing students solely based on age.
Under Georgia law, children who turn six by Sept. 1 are eligible for first grade. Gwinnett County Public Schools began enforcing that as a requirement, prompting parents to push back. The bill lets parents of those children choose kindergarten instead.
Amber Roos said her 6-year-old son was pulled out of kindergarten on his third day last year because the district said he belonged in first grade.
“I said, ‘He doesn’t even know all of his alphabet yet,’” Roos said. “He has a lot of social and emotional struggles that make me believe he’s not ready for first.”
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She fought for weeks and eventually got him back into kindergarten, but said the district warned her not to expect exceptions again.
“They told us that only experts can determine that, and they do not care to place students based on the opinions of parents,” she said.
Hillary Hendrix is a former kindergarten teacher with two children in Gwinnett County schools. Her daughter has autism and a speech delay. Hendrix said the bill means she won’t have to fight to give her more time before first grade.
“I can really just go with my gut as a former teacher and a parent and make the best decision for her that I can,” Hendrix said.
Gwinnett County Public Schools declined to comment, saying the district has not had a chance to fully evaluate the law.
If signed, the bill takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.
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