Yes, in the state of California, kindergarten is mandatory for children who are at least 5 years old by September 1st of the school year. This legislation was passed in 2014, making California the 32nd state to require children to attend kindergarten.
The law was put in place to ensure that children are getting a strong start to their education and are better prepared for the later years of schooling. Kindergarten provides important social, emotional, and academic development for children, and the state believes that attendance in kindergarten is crucial for a child's future success.
There are some exemptions to the mandatory kindergarten requirement, such as if a child is enrolled in a transitional kindergarten program, is receiving private instruction, or has other valid reasons for not attending. However, in general, parents are expected to enroll their children in a kindergarten program unless they meet one of these exemptions.
If you have further questions about the mandatory kindergarten requirement in California, it is recommended to contact your local school district for more information.