The Alabama House is considering a bill to require children to begin attending school by the age of six instead of seven, which is currently the minimum school attendance age.

The bill by Republican Rep. John Merrill of Tuscaloosa is on the agenda of bills the House will consider Tuesday.

A similar bill by Democratic Sen. Priscilla Dunn of Bessemer has passed the Senate where an amendment was added to allow children to start school at seven if their parents request the late start in a letter to the school system.

Merrill said he will go along with the Senate amendment, which means the bill could receive final passage Tuesday. Merrill said he believes children start school behind classmates when they don't start first grade until the age of six.