3110.2P: Exception to First Grade Entry Age Requirement

A student not eligible for first grade entry by the uniform age requirement who successfully completes a State approved public or private school kindergarten may be allowed entry by Kindergarten Experience Qualification for First Grade.

Criteria for Kindergarten Experience Qualification for First Grade

Students that do not meet the first grade uniform age requirement will be allowed first grade entry if they successfully complete a kindergarten program based on the following State mandated criteria:

1. Students must receive 1000 hours of instruction provided under the direct supervision of a certificated teacher.
2. Curriculum and instruction in reading, mathematics and communication skills designed to substantially meet or exceed the State applicable basic education program requirements.

Kindergarten Experience Qualification for First Grade

A. Time Schedule:

Students will be considered only upon completion of the kindergarten program.

B. Process and Considerations:

1. The decision of grade placement rests with the principal of the student’s attendance area school.
2. Parents must submit a Certification of Qualified Kindergarten Attendance 3110.2P Exhibit A completed by the State approved public or private kindergarten to the student’s attendance area school. This form is available on the District’s website or at the Student Placement Office.
   1. If obtaining form 3110.2P Exhibit A in writing would delay the child's entrance to school, attendance and compliance with program requirements will be verified by telephone by school personnel with a follow up request for the written statement.
   2. Adjustments in grade placement may occur based on information obtained from the school in which the child attended kindergarten or an evaluation of present performance in grade 1.
3. Upon receipt of Exhibit A the principal may request a sample of the student’s school work or other documentations deemed necessary to determine the appropriate grade placement.

C. Limitations:

If the District has reason to believe a child who has met the criteria and has successfully completed a State approved kindergarten program may not succeed in the first-grade program, the District shall have the option of placing the child in kindergarten for evaluation to determine appropriate grade-level placement.

1. Possible reasons for suspecting a child may not succeed in grade 1 include:
   1. Information from school in which the child was enrolled in kindergarten.
   2. Observations of the child.
   3. Information from parents.
   4. Informal assessments by school-district staff.
2. With written parent permission, assessment shall be completed no later than the 30th calendar day following the student's first day of attendance and should include but not be limited to the following areas:
   1. Mental ability.
   2. Gross-motor skills.
   3. Fine-motor skills.
   4. Visual discrimination.
   5. Auditory discrimination.
   6. Emotional/social development.
3. If the school's decision is not to admit the child to grade 1, the parents will be informed of their right to appeal to the superintendent’s designee. The parents must submit their appeal in writing to the superintendent’s designee. The superintendent’s designee will convene an appeal committee. The committee will examine all data upon which the school's decision was made and hear such testimony as the school and the parents wish to present. The decision of the committee shall be final.