Kindergarten
I've had a few questions about the online version of this story about the entry age for Kindergarten in North Carolina.
Three fast fact boxes that ran with the print edition (but not online) answer many of them.
HJR 2515
What: The bill would clear the way for legislators to consider whether to move the age for children entering kindergarten back to Aug. 31.
Status: The House passed the measure last week. Senators have yet to take up the measure.
Who's responsible: Two of the measure's sponsors are from Forsyth County - Rep. Dale Folwell, (919) 733-5787, and Rep. Earline Parmon, (919) 733-5829.
The state of things
Under North Carolina law, almost all children must turn 5 on or before Oct. 16 to enter kindergarten that year, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. The proposed change would move that date back to Aug. 31 starting in 2008. Elsewhere:
- North Carolina is one of only 12 states with kindergarten cutoff dates after Sept. 30.
- The cutoff for children in Tennessee and Virginia is Sept. 30.
- In South Carolina and Georgia, the cutoff date is Sept. 1.
The exceptions
According to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction policy, a child can be tested, and if they are determined to be gifted they may enter kindergarten even if they are born after the cutoff date. A spokeswoman for the department said that policy is not frequently used.
Comments (1)
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This is one of the best bits of news for schools I've heard in a long time. After teaching "k" for 16 years, I strongly agree that allowing a child another year to be a child is one of the greatest gifts we can give a them. Afterall, they will have a lifetime to be an adult; what's one more year that you can never give back to be a kid. I've had students turn 5 October 12th and then in the same classroom a student turn 6 October 20th-a full year apart in age and usually ability, too. If I had my choice, students should be age 5 by June before entering school. Please , please vote this bill into law!!! Third grade teachers will love you forever!!!!
Posted on June 13, 2006 10:33 PM