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- Introduced by Rep. Deb Kennedy (D) on October 13, 2009, to allow – but not require – a child who reaches age 5 before Sept. 1 to enroll in a public school kindergarten. Under current law the cut-off is Dec. 1. This bill amends that law that allows a public school to collect state funding for students from age 5 through age 19.
- Referred to the House Education Committee on October 13, 2009.
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1) Re: 2009 House Bill 5510 (Revise kindergarten age requirement ) by Fair Legislation For the People on April 27, 2010I've never understood why the age cut-off was December and not sometime before the start of school. In other states, they use a mid-calendar year date of say July 1, 2010. Maybe kids would be grouped more by age, but the differientiated instruction being required in schools, why should it really matter. There's lots of proven brain research that the earlier we start teaching our children, the better their brain development and learning capacities. If the age cut-off date was changed to prior to the start of school then Kindergartners might be closer to the same age, possibly the same developmental age, and might be a bit easier for teachers to teach and allow them to teach MORE to groups of kids closer in age. Why not allow 4 year olds to come to school? Parents get daycare relief, schools get to start teaching kids earlier (maybe giving them less television opportunities) and increase their socials skills (and play skills).
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There are a lot of arguments from both sides (advocates of earlier or later admission). No one should forget, that parental care, especially in early years of young human, is something that could not be overestimated. It is not only the matter of education, but also emotional development of child.
www.kindergarten-duesseldorf.de
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Pre-K is exactly what these kids need. Your kids may be smart enough to start Kindergarten but are they mature enough to start? December 1st is way to late to be turning 5 and starting kindergarten. My daughter's bday is in January, so the kid that just turned 5 in November is a whole year younger than my daughter. That is huge when it is 20% of your life.... not to mention, these immature kids that start kindergarten early NEVER catch up emotionally. They are usually the hard to handle ones in the upper grades (and yes, I teach upper elementary). Michigan is one of a very few states that have such a late date... it is about time we changed this to give the kids the best possible start. If parents feel their kid is that smart and should be in school, put them in pre-k or maybe consider doing something at home.
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