Maryland for the past several years has been phasing in an earlier cutoff date for kindergarten admission. This year’s date change represents the final part of the plan. Before the phase-in began, students could enter kindergarten if they turned age five by December 31.
The State Board voted five years ago to change the enrollment age for kindergartners based on the recommendations of the Maryland Kindergarten Committee, a distinguished panel of educators and parents that examined research and solicited comments from various education stakeholders. The Committee suggested that raising the age of the typical kindergarten student will help make certain that he or she will be better prepared for the classroom.
In addition, all 24 school systems also have adopted waiver policies that allow for early admission to kindergarten under local guidelines.
“Kindergarten is an exciting time in the life of a child,” said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. “We hope that parents take the extra effort to help make certain their children are ready for kindergarten to help ensure a worthwhile educational experience.”
Many systems have started the process of enrolling kindergartners for this coming fall. For information on how to prepare your child for kindergarten, see the Web site for MSDE’s Division of Early Childhood Development, http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/