According to Wisconsin statutes, a child must be 5 years of age on or before September 1 of the year in which they enroll in kindergarten. A parent/guardian may apply on behalf of their child for early admission to kindergarten, and a decision will be made based on whether it will be detrimental to the child if he/she were held back.
It is important to recognize that the criteria must be met even if the child has a birthday on September 2 and misses the cut-of by one day. This process is not to determine if a child is ready for kindergarten - it is designed to seek out children who are extraordinary.
Board Policy 5112.01
Administrative Guideline 5112.01
Criteria
1. Must be 5 years of age by October 1 of the year for which admission is being sought.
2. Must exhibit social skills and emotional maturity that are commensurate to other children entering a kindergarten program.
3. Must exhibit evidence of superior skills and abilities in his/her development in the following domains:
· Intellectual ability (IQ measured at 130 or higher)
· Language development
· Motor development
· Social emotional development
· Math and reading readiness
· Note: for purposes of early admission, "superior" is defined as achieving at or above the 95th percentile on a standardized measure
Procedure
Before March 1
Complete the Application for Early Admittance to Kindergarten and return it, with any supporting documentation, to the Director of Special Services
For those who establish residency in the District after March 1, the request shall be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date residency was established
The application may be withdrawn by the parent(s)/guardian at any time during the process
March / April
Parent(s)/guardian will be contacted to schedule a screening
The results of the screening will be reviewed and, if they indicate the child is a strong candidate for early admission, a formal assessment will be scheduled
May / June
A formal assessment of intellectual ability, language development, motor development, social/emotional development, and math/reading readiness will be administered
The assessment results are reviewed by an evaluation team (school psychologist, kindergarten teacher, principal, Talented and Gifted Coordinator, and others as appropriate) who will determine whether to continue with the evaluation process
A kindergarten visit may be scheduled
The evaluation team will make a recommendation
A conference will be held to discuss the recommendation with the parent(s)/guardian
The recommendation is reviewed by the Superintendent, who will then make a recommendation to the School Board
If the parent(s)/guardian appeal the recommendation, it will be brought before the School Board for a final decision at the first regularly scheduled meeting following June 30th
No later than the scheduled Board meeting in August
The final determination of the School Board will be conveyed to the parent(s)/guardian
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