Purpose

Early entrance is intended for exceptional children who are both academically ready and developmentally mature compared to their peers. This option aims to cater to the varied levels of school readiness among children. Therefore, a child must be functioning at least 18 months ahead of their chronological age, with excellent ratings in these areas.

Early Entrance to kindergarten may be available for a child whose fifth birthday falls on or between August 2^nd and October 15^th of the Early Entrance year. In order to qualify for Early Entrance, children must demonstrate high ability and maturation in the areas of intellectual ability, social and emotional maturity, language development and physical development/motor coordination.  The purpose of the Early Entrance to Kindergarten Evaluation is to determine if a child demonstrates readiness for kindergarten.
 

Procedures

1.   Parents/Guardians who are interested in having their child enter kindergarten early will be directed to the district website where there will be an overview of the process and a form to complete that comes to the Level Director.  Included in the form will be kindergarten readiness assessment to assist parents in considering the decision at hand.  Proof of age (birth certificate) and current address must also be provided by the Parent/Guardian at the time of application. Requests will be submitted between January 1^st and April 15^th.  (The only exception to the April 15^th deadline is if a family moves into the county after April 15^th.  A family who moves into the area has 30 days from the date that they move to apply for early entrance consideration.) 
    
2.   Upon receipt of the district form, the Preschool and Elementary Level Director will contact the Oldham County Preschool, who will schedule a screening for the assessment for acceleration consideration. 
    
3.   The DIAL teacher questionnaire will be sent to the preschool teacher listed and the DIAL parent questionnaire will be sent to families. 
    
4.   An initial screening will be administered by June 15^th at the Oldham County Preschool utilizing the Phase I- DIAL Screener in the following areas: Concepts, Language, Social and Adaptive. 
    
5.   For those students scoring above the 90% a second screening will be scheduled  utilizing the Phase II:  Battelle Developmental Inventory Early Academic Survey.  Students should score 90% or above. 
    
6.   Following the completion of the evaluation, the District Committee consisting of the Director of Preschool and Elementary Education, a School Psychologist,  the Preschool Principal and an Assistant Principal will review all documentation and will make a determination on the student’s readiness to engage in and benefit from early entry to school.   One of the following decisions will be communicated to the parent/guardian by June 30^th:

a)  Yes – Parent/Guardian may enroll the child in kindergarten at the home school.

b)  No – Due to readiness.    

7.  The decision made by the committee is final.  There is no appeal process. After the decision is made, parents will receive written notification.  Parents/ Guardians will be notified by June 30^th.