So we found out this morning that they are now allowing for early entrance to kindergarten in our school district. I am thrilled!! They will MAP test the child. The child needs to score >90% for both math and reading. All this being said (below) .. we pulled EJ out of the private kindergarten in January when I lost my job due to money issues. My mom said she will send us the money to re-enroll him starting next week. They have already said they will write any letters we need for him.
from the website
Early Entrance to First Grade may be considered for a child who meets the following criteria:
1. The child will turn 6 years of age between September 2 and December 31 of his first-grade year.
2. The child attended a non-public preschool and will complete kindergarten at that same facility.
3. The child was taught by an appropriately certified kindergarten teacher.
4. The child is a resident of District 54.
If all of the requirements above are met, the parent may request an assessment to determine if the child is eligible for Early Entrance to First Grade. To request this assessment the following is required:
* Parents must register their child at their base elementary school between February 24 and July 28, 2011. No early entrance registrations will be accepted after July 28, 2011.
o An original birth certificate (with the seal issued by the clerk in the county where the child was born) must be presented at registration. Hospital certificates are not acceptable. Please see the District 54 registration website for more detailed information regarding other required registration documents.
http://sd54.org/registration o The parent must submit the current kindergarten progress reports from the school.
* The child will be assessed in reading and math using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment.
* The child must score a minimum of 90% in both reading and math to qualify for Early Entrance to First Grade. The child�s current kindergarten progress report must indicate excellent academic and social/emotional skills. If the child does not meet the minimum MAP criteria of 90% in both reading and math, the child is not eligible to enter first grade.
* Decisions regarding eligibility for Early Entrance to First Grade will be made by a team consisting of a school psychologist, the school principal and a district administrator. This decision is final.
* If a child is accepted for early entrance before finishing kindergarten, parents must submit proof by June 15, 2011 that the child completed kindergarten.
The decision for a child to enter school early can have a profound effect on the child�s academic and social performance for the remainder of his school career. It is a decision that needs to be taken seriously. Early school experiences shape self-confidence and influence children for the rest of their lives. Children who enter first grade early may demonstrate social or emotional difficulties due to their relative immaturity, have difficulty fitting in with their peers in social situations as they progress through school, and be less likely to excel in sports because of their age and/or smaller size. We ask parents to carefully consider whether enrolling a child early in first grade will be of long-term benefit for their child.
