Feeling discouraged about early entrance to 1st grade...

[Anonymous]

It sounds like they make it nearly impossible for kids born in September to transfer without having to repeat Kindergarten. The student is expected to be not just academically on par with other rising 1st graders, but AHEAD of them. And even then they have to spend the first six weeks repeating Kindergarten, only to be moved to another class in the (unlikely) event that they are deemed worthy of continuing on in the grade they're supposed to be in.

Next summer we may, out of necessity, move in with my ailing parent in the Carderock district. My DCPS Kindergartener is progressing very well in school, but he's not ahead of the curve. Socially, though, he's more advanced. I'm confident that he would have no trouble keeping up academically with first grade next year, but that forcing him to repeat K WOULD be detrimental.

I'm willing to get him tutors and do whatever it takes to make sure he meets those benchmarks, but learning all of this has left a really bad taste in my mouth.

[Anonymous]

If your child completes kindergarten in a public school, they don't have to go through the early entrance process. See the side paragraph here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/earlychildhood/early-entrance.aspx#grade1

Looks like you still need to submit the form, but I don't think you need to go through the rest of the process. But you could check with the school principal to be sure.


If Your Child Has Previously Completed Kindergarten in a Public School

If a child has previously completed the kindergarten year in a public school kindergarten program, the child may be considered as a transfer, although the child's birthdate may not be aligned with the state's age requirements.

Parents/guardians should submit the child's attendance record and any end-of-year transcripts, along with the application, MCPS Form 271-1, Application for Early Entrance First Grade Program, to the school principal for consideration.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why you would have to do EE1 when your kindergartner will have completed kindergarten already in DCPS? Why wouldn't he just automatically go into first grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would have to do EE1 when your kindergartner will have completed kindergarten already in DCPS? Why wouldn't he just automatically go into first grade?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would have to do EE1 when your kindergartner will have completed kindergarten already in DCPS? Why wouldn't he just automatically go into first grade?

I spoke with the principal and was told that if he has complete TWO years - so, K and 1st - in another district he can automatically move on to the next grade. But for 1st grade, he's subject to evaluation and whole process, which seems pretty cruel to the child. Not sure why they can't evaluate him ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would have to do EE1 when your kindergartner will have completed kindergarten already in DCPS? Why wouldn't he just automatically go into first grade?

I spoke with the principal and was told that if he has complete TWO years - so, K and 1st - in another district he can automatically move on to the next grade. But for 1st grade, he's subject to evaluation and whole process, which seems pretty cruel to the child. Not sure why they can't evaluate him ahead of time.

OP this makes zero sense.

This is not how this works. Call MCPS and ask again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would have to do EE1 when your kindergartner will have completed kindergarten already in DCPS? Why wouldn't he just automatically go into first grade?

I spoke with the principal and was told that if he has complete TWO years - so, K and 1st - in another district he can automatically move on to the next grade. But for 1st grade, he's subject to evaluation and whole process, which seems pretty cruel to the child. Not sure why they can't evaluate him ahead of time.

That's true for transferring in from a private school (can't just do K at a private and then come into 1st), but is not supposed to be true for those who complete public school kindergarten. You might want to call the Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools at 240-740-4087 to ask about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child completes kindergarten in a public school, they don't have to go through the early entrance process. See the side paragraph here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/earlychildhood/early-entrance.aspx#grade1

Looks like you still need to submit the form, but I don't think you need to go through the rest of the process. But you could check with the school principal to be sure.


If Your Child Has Previously Completed Kindergarten in a Public School

If a child has previously completed the kindergarten year in a public school kindergarten program, the child may be considered as a transfer, although the child's birthdate may not be aligned with the state's age requirements.

Parents/guardians should submit the child's attendance record and any end-of-year transcripts, along with the application, MCPS Form 271-1, Application for Early Entrance First Grade Program, to the school principal for consideration.

As the PP said, you have to submit the form, but the principal darn well better not kick up a fuss. Include every piece of paper you have about your child's successful completion of kindergarten in DCPS.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/271-1.pdf

If I were you, I might even try calling International Admissions and Enrollment (residency) 240-740-4500. Once you're talking to a real live human being, explain the situation, and ask them what they would advise you to do.

[Anonymous]

If you are transferring from dcps they should honor it. Some schools are good about it others are not. Our school would not even test our child. We did private for a few years and transferred after 2nd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would have to do EE1 when your kindergartner will have completed kindergarten already in DCPS? Why wouldn't he just automatically go into first grade?

I spoke with the principal and was told that if he has complete TWO years - so, K and 1st - in another district he can automatically move on to the next grade. But for 1st grade, he's subject to evaluation and whole process, which seems pretty cruel to the child. Not sure why they can't evaluate him ahead of time.

OP this makes zero sense.

This is not how this works. Call MCPS and ask again.

This is the rule for test in or private.

[Anonymous]

This was 8 years ago, so maybe not relevant, but my dd had a student in her MCPS kindergarten class who moved to first grade a few weeks into the school year, so it’s not like it never happens. That student was already reading.

[Anonymous]

This isn't an early entrance. Your child is in DCPS so another school system. This is a transfer.

[Anonymous]

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/earlychildhood/early-entrance.aspx

Look to the bottom, Right:
If Your Child Has Previously Completed Kindergarten in a Public School

If a child has previously completed the kindergarten year in a public school kindergarten program, the child may be considered as a transfer, although the child's birthdate may not be aligned with the state's age requirements.

Parents/guardians should submit the child's attendance record and any end-of-year transcripts, along with the application, MCPS Form 271-1, Application for Early Entrance First Grade Program, to the school principal for consideration.

More information about the MCPS first grade program's curriculum and expectations.

[Anonymous]

I spent K and 1st in private school ages ago due to the cutoff. This is long-standing practice.

[Anonymous]

From DCPS you are fine - child will be able to enter 1st without doing early entrance.