Topeka ? Kansas lawmakers are considering a proposal that would mandate children attend kindergarten and lower the age at which children must attend school.

“It makes little sense to me to spend money and time on school readiness skills for 3- to 5-year-olds and leave a loophole in our laws that allows those same children to take a sabbatical until they are 7,” said state Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka.

Kindergarten is not mandatory in Kansas, and children are required to attend school no later than age 7. Senate Bill 207 would require children attend kindergarten, and set 6 as the mandatory attendance age.

During a meeting Monday of the Legislative Educational Planning Committee, opposition came from the Amish Mennonite community of Reno County.

David Miller, of Partridge, said Amish children benefit from staying at home an extra year within close-knit families, and are well prepared for school.

State Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, asked Miller: “How do you respond if parents … don’t prepare their child for school?”

“That sort of thing just doesn’t exist in our community,” Miller said.

Vratil responded, “But it does exist outside your community.”

Kelly said most children eligible to start kindergarten were enrolled, but sometimes parents don’t get them to school.

“Each day they (students) missed put them further behind their peers and set them up for failure in years to come,” Kelly said.

In Lawrence, attendance isn’t a problem, said Bruce Passman, deputy superintendent.

Kelly said she would support exempting religious groups that want to keep their children at home until first grade.

The committee will make recommendations to the 2008 Legislature.