Qualification of Attendance and Placement
Entrance Qualifications for Kindergarten Program
As a minimum, eligibility for the exemption from the age requirement will be based upon an analysis of the child’s (1) physical health and motor development; (2) social and emotional development; (3) approaches toward learning; (4) language, literacy and communication; and (5) cognition and general knowledge. Where feasible, assessment devices will be used that will permit students who are to be considered for exemption to be compared to the level of performance that would be expected of children with a chronological age of 5 years for kindergarten and 6 years for first grade in each of the areas of ability.
Early Entrance Kindergarten, Intervention Entrance Qualifications:
Children born after September 1st of the desired year of entry will be considered for early admittance . This allows children who have been identified as in need of intervention services to succeed in the traditional educational program to enter kindergarten prior to the uniform entry age.
Early Entry Kindergarten Intervention Application/Assessment Process
1. Application for early entrance for children living within the Meridian School District Boundaries will be accepted through February 15th of the desired entry year. The application can be obtained from the district website or district office. Complete applications must include:
a. Proof of Meridian School District permanent residency.
b. A copy of the child’s birth certificate (or other proof of legal name and age).
c. The application for early entrance to kindergarten form, which will include permission to evaluate.
d. A developmental questionnaire to be completed by the parent/guardian regarding the child.
e. Other Information that is relevant and will assist the Early Entrance Kindergarten team in determining a child’s developmental level.
2. An early entrance assessment is required. This assessment will include, but may not be limited to, the following areas: academic skills, cognitive ability, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social/emotional development, language development.
3. The district reserves the right to annually establish a fee to pay for the cost of the assessments noted above. Parents for whom the cost of an assessment would cause undue hardship may request exemption or reduction from fees. These requests will be considered on the basis of submission of a “Free and Reduced Meal” application and qualifying for free or reduced meals.
4. The assessment is conducted by the Early Entrance Kindergarten Team. The assessment team will include, but may not be limited to, a kindergarten teacher, an administrator, and at least one additional member of a multidisciplinary team.
5. The Early Entrance Kindergarten team will review the applications and assessments and come to a decision in regard to a child’s need and/or ability to enter kindergarten early. The student must meet the screening criteria in all areas and receive a recommendation from the Early Entrance Kindergarten team. A decision will be communicated within ten (10) business days of testing completion.
6. Upon completion of Early Entrance Kindergarten intervention, approved students will continue Kindergarten for the following school year.
Admission of Students Aged Twenty-One or Older
The student will petition the superintendent for admission.
The petition will identify the student’s name, age, address and grade level or program of study.
If approved, the petition will specify the tuition fee to be paid, will be signed by the student and the superintendent and will constitute the written agreement required by law. It will be retained as a public document and made available to the state Superintendent of Public Instruction upon request.
The tuition fee will be calculated in the same way the state Superintendent of Public Instruction determines the cost of educating a student in the district, except that a disabled student who turns twenty-one during the school year will only pay that amount of money deemed as “excess cost.”
Adoption Date: 08/28/13
Revised Date: 01/14/19