PARENT INFORMATION SHEET

Early Admission to Kindergarten

The 1997 General Assembly passed legislation allowing gifted 4 ½ year olds to enter kindergarten under certain guidelines. The state guidelines indicate that children entering kindergarten early shall be functioning two to three years beyond their age peers.

According to the state guidelines, parents interested in enrolling their child 4 ½ year-old child must submit a written request to the school to which their child would be assigned within the first 30 calendar days of the instructional school year. A packet containing the following material must be given to the principal:

1. A written request by the parents to enroll the child in kindergarten.

2. A birth certificate showing that the child reached his/her fourth birthday by April 16th of the current year.

3. A portfolio of student work demonstrating outstanding ability in any of the following areas: independent reading, art, math, writing, dramatic play, creative products, science, social interactions, etc.

4. Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives (such as preschool teachers, child care workers, pediatricians, or others with direct knowledge of the child) documenting the child’s physical and social maturity. Examples of the child’s ability to follow verbal instruction and in function independently in a group should be included.

5. An assessment of the child’s aptitude by a licensed psychologist (arranged and paid for by parent). The child must score at the 98^th percentile on a standard individual test of intelligence. A psychological report of the results and the Psychologist’s Information Sheet (see page 6) are completed by the psychologist.  The testing must be completed after the April 16th following the child’s fourth birthday. Also, the results can’t be used if the child has taken the same test more than once within the past year. (In the event the parents fulfill the requirements of Items 1 through 4 above and provide evidence that the child would qualify for free or reduced lunch, the principal and a committee formed to assist in making decisions on such matters may recommend testing at the school system’s expense).

6. An assessment of the child’s achievement skills by a licensed psychologist or an impartial educator (who is properly trained and does not have a potential conflict of interest in the outcome of the assessment). The child scores at the 98^th percentile on a standard test of achievement of reading and/or math. A written report of the results and the Psychologist’s Information Sheet (see attached) are completed by the evaluator. The testing must be completed after April 16th of the current year. Also, the results can’t be used if the child has taken the same test more than once within the past year.

Upon receipt of the above information, the principal shall conduct an informal interview with the child and a more structure interview with the parent to gain more insight about the child’s level of independence and motivation for learning. As part of the informal interview process, the principal may ask a teacher to conduct an informal reading assessment that is typical for Kindergarten such as a running record and retelling.

The principal shall convene a committee to review the collected information and to assist the principal in making the decision for each individual request for a 4 ½ year-old to enter kindergarten. This may be an existing committee or team (e.g., Intervention Support Team, Team for Academically Gifted-TAG) or a committee formed for this specific purpose. The principal must take action on the request within three (3) weeks of receiving the required materials and conducting the informal interview.

The child will not be enrolled nor attend school before the principal has made the decision regarding the child’s eligibility for early kindergarten entrance.  If the child is admitted to kindergarten, the principal has the right to rescind approval before the end of the first 90 days after enrollment if there is substantial evidence documenting that the child is not adjusting satisfactorily to the school setting. If the decision is made to remove the child from school, the parents must be given at least ten (10) days notice to arrange child care if needed. 

Once the child has been enrolled for 90 calendar days or at any time before 90 calendar days when the school is satisfied the child has adjusted satisfactorily and will remain in school, the school’s Team for Academically Gifted (TAG) team shall review the child’s functioning to determine his/her eligibility for AG consultation.

State guidelines require parents to abide by all decisions of the principal in the process of determining enrollment and continuation in kindergarten.

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