Per state law, students must be 5 years old on or before August 15, 2016 to enroll in Kindergarten. However, students who will not turn 5 on or before August 15, 2016 may be considered for early entrance into Kindergarten.
1. If the student reaches age 5 by August 15, 2016, the student meets the Kindergarten age requirement, and early Kindergarten entry screening is NOT necessary.
2. If the student will not reach age 5 by the regular deadline of August 15, 2016, but will be 5 years-old by September 30, 2016, he/she can be screened for early Kindergarten entry.
3. If the student will not reach age 5 until after September 30, 2016, he/she must wait until fall 2017 to begin Kindergarten.
*In the second instance, the director of schools must find the child sufficiently mature for kindergarten both emotionally and academically.
**In Tennessee, kindergarten entrance testing is required to be handled at the local level. Therefore, networks in the ASD must develop a comprehensive developmental assessment program for kindergarten children, which in turn is to be used in the development of instructional programs. YOUR NETWORK'S UNIVERSAL SCREENER CAN BE USED AS THE ASSESSMENT; however, the Brigance Screen III for 5 year olds is another option.