Application and testing process for early Kindergarten entrance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the helpful responses. The most frustrating part for me is knowing my child is ready and not being able to go. I don’t plan to bully anyone to get the results. That method never works and it just pisses people more. I plan to be logical and advocate for my child based on what I believe is best. If anyone has anymore tips, please share.

Denials are not typically about your child not being ready the way a typical 5 year old would be. They turn down lots of kids for early entrance every year who would do just fine in kindergarten, but that's not good enough. They usually only let kids in who are so far ahead that they're already at or past end-of-kindergarten standards, to the point that waiting and going to kindergarten on time would be a big disservice to them because they'd likely be performing multiple grades ahead by then. If that's your kid, tell them that. You want to convince them that waiting for kindergarten will go badly for your kid (and by extension for the school trying to accommodate them), not just that they're ready for K and admitting them will go fine.

DD's school said they needed to be able to pass the end of K tests so counting, adding, reading some sight words, writing basic things.

That is the standard we were given as well. There were really tough questions on the assessment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the helpful responses. The most frustrating part for me is knowing my child is ready and not being able to go. I don’t plan to bully anyone to get the results. That method never works and it just pisses people more. I plan to be logical and advocate for my child based on what I believe is best. If anyone has anymore tips, please share.

Denials are not typically about your child not being ready the way a typical 5 year old would be. They turn down lots of kids for early entrance every year who would do just fine in kindergarten, but that's not good enough. They usually only let kids in who are so far ahead that they're already at or past end-of-kindergarten standards, to the point that waiting and going to kindergarten on time would be a big disservice to them because they'd likely be performing multiple grades ahead by then. If that's your kid, tell them that. You want to convince them that waiting for kindergarten will go badly for your kid (and by extension for the school trying to accommodate them), not just that they're ready for K and admitting them will go fine.

DD's school said they needed to be able to pass the end of K tests so counting, adding, reading some sight words, writing basic things.

That is the standard we were given as well. There were really tough questions on the assessment.

I wish the school provided more details before the assessment. The only info I was provided was a standard paper regarding EEG and that they test to make sure the kids know the basic and will not be frustrated. It doesn’t mention anything about a child taking the test needs to have the skills of a 1st grader.

I agree with people that the tests aren’t meant for someone to come in with the knowledge of an average 5 year old. But that’s not advertise anywhere in the school.

I hope the appeal will be successful and will post the results when I have it. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

They are also looking at social emotional maturity and behavior. I know kids who did not get through because they did not follow one direction quickly enough or they did not separate from their parents quickly enough. They don't tell you about the assessment because people would prep for it and it would be pointless. The program exists for kids who are naturally ready to move on to the next level of schooling and not for kids to be prepped to do so. It's easy to prep a kid to do a few basic things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the helpful responses. The most frustrating part for me is knowing my child is ready and not being able to go. I don’t plan to bully anyone to get the results. That method never works and it just pisses people more. I plan to be logical and advocate for my child based on what I believe is best. If anyone has anymore tips, please share.

Denials are not typically about your child not being ready the way a typical 5 year old would be. They turn down lots of kids for early entrance every year who would do just fine in kindergarten, but that's not good enough. They usually only let kids in who are so far ahead that they're already at or past end-of-kindergarten standards, to the point that waiting and going to kindergarten on time would be a big disservice to them because they'd likely be performing multiple grades ahead by then. If that's your kid, tell them that. You want to convince them that waiting for kindergarten will go badly for your kid (and by extension for the school trying to accommodate them), not just that they're ready for K and admitting them will go fine.

DD's school said they needed to be able to pass the end of K tests so counting, adding, reading some sight words, writing basic things.

That is the standard we were given as well. There were really tough questions on the assessment.

I wish the school provided more details before the assessment. The only info I was provided was a standard paper regarding EEG and that they test to make sure the kids know the basic and will not be frustrated. It doesn’t mention anything about a child taking the test needs to have the skills of a 1st grader.

I agree with people that the tests aren’t meant for someone to come in with the knowledge of an average 5 year old. But that’s not advertise anywhere in the school.

I hope the appeal will be successful and will post the results when I have it. Thank you!

This document called "A Guide to Early Entrance to Kindergarten" on the MCPS website says "Children who are not age-eligible must demonstrate above average performance and show proficiency with Kindergarten End of Year standards to qualify for early admission to Kindergarten." It's worth reading to understand the requirements for and purpose of the early entrance option.