After more than a dozen failed efforts over two decades, the Legislature has finally changed the start date of kindergarten from Dec. 2  to Sept. 1 for 5-year olds. Sen. Joe Simitian’s SB 1381 also establishes a transitional kindergarten for the 4-year-olds displaced by the earlier start date.

The bill squeaked by with only one vote and seven minutes to spare. The Senate vote of  21-15 came at 11:53 p.m., narrowly close to the midnight expiration of the legislative session.

California has been one of only four states allowing 4-year olds to attend kindergarten as long as they turned 5 by Dec. 2, and early childhood researchers had consistently urged moving up the date. They  said that starting kindergarten when children are five would better ensure an early success in school and perhaps reduce the need for grade retention and special education. With more emphasis on doing academics in kindergarten, the pressure has been building to offer kindergarten to children who are more developmentally ready.

But the issue always bogged down over what to do with the savings to the state by excluding the late birthdays — one quarter of the kindergarten class. Simitian’s bill  originally called for splitting the savings — $700 million – between deficit reduction and expanding preschool for the September through November birthdays.

But Simitian changed his mind – and picked up support from education groups – by proposing transitional or junior kindergarten taught by credentialed teachers instead. There would be a cost for creating a two-year kindergarten for old 4-year-olds, but the state wouldn’t feel it until 13 years from now, when children who should have graduated high school end up needing one more year.

The non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence endorsed an earlier kindergarten cut-off date.

Simitian’s bill would phase in the start date over three years, moving it up one month per year.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn’t indicated whether he would sign the bill.