“We applaud Governor Cuomo for signing mandatory Kindergarten legislation and emphasizing his commitment to early childhood education. By giving New York City the authority to lower the compulsory age of schooling to age five, we are taking a significant step towards closing the achievement gap. Experts agree that the most vulnerable New Yorkers will be helped by ensuring that every New York City child starts school at age five.

“We look forward to working with the Department of Education to implement this groundbreaking policy and to create more policies that benefit our city’s children. We are grateful to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos for their leadership on this important issue, and State Senator John J. Flanagan and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan for introducing and advocating for the passage of their respective bills in the Senate and Assembly.”

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