Kindergarten would become mandatory for all 5-year-olds in New York City under a bill passed this week by state lawmakers.
Right now, kids in the city aren't required to attend school until age six.
Most parents enroll their kids anyway, but officials estimate that as many as 3,000 New York City schoolchildren enter first grade each year without having gone to kindergarten.
Proponents of the measure tell The New York Times that some kids wind up skipping kindergarten because their parents missed registration deadlines, and are then closed out of neighborhood schools due to lack of space.
Mayor Bloomberg backs the bill, which is awaiting action by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The governor hasn't indicated yet whether he intends to sign the bill into law.
Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.
