MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama schoolchildren would have to start their education earlier under a bill approved by a legislative committee on Wednesday.

The Birmingham News reports that House Education Policy committee signed off on the legislation to lower the mandatory age when children must attend school or be home schooled to six from seven.

Bill sponsor Tuscaloosa Republican Rep. John Merrill tells the newspaper that some parents across the state choose not to start their children's education until age seven because that's what the law requires. He says many 7-year-olds have to be send back to kindergarten because they are not prepared.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed the measure last year, but it did not receive a vote in the state Senate.