IV. Instruction (formerly #6301)

A. Curricular Policies

2. Instructional Mandates

a. Early Admission to Kindergarten

KINDERGARTEN POLICY FOR NARRAGANSETT SCHOOLS

In accordance with RI General Laws 16-2-27 (Eligibility for Attendance-Kindergarten) pupils shall be admitted to kindergarten at the opening for the fall term provided they shall be five (5) years old by September 1^st of that school year. Special permission for early admission to kindergarten may be granted by the Superintendent on a case-by-case basis for children born between September 2^nd and October 31^st of the enrollment year. The following procedure will be utilized to determine whether it is in the best educational interest of a child born within this interval to be enrolled in kindergarten.

Parents or guardians seeking early admission for their child shall make such request to the Principal of the Narragansett Elementary School. The Principal shall discuss the advantages and disadvantages of early admission with the parents or guardians. The parents or guardians shall then complete an application for early kindergarten admission. The parents or guardians shall provide the child’s updated general medical information.

The Principal shall arrange for a parent or guardian interview with the school department psychologist and other pertinent educational personnel and will also arrange to have the child interviewed by the psychologist and other pertinent educational personnel. Based upon the interviews, the psychologist and other pertinent educational personnel will decide if administering educational and/or psychological evaluations is necessary in making their determination.

Based upon the interviews, the child’s relevant experiences, such as that in a preschool program, and results of any recommended evaluation instruments, the psychologist, in consultation with the other pertinent educational personnel, will make a written recommendation to the Principal. The written recommendation must indicate the child being considered is exceptionally mature, both socially and emotionally, and has the physical maturity to participate successfully in the district’s kindergarten program. Based upon the written recommendation, the Superintendent, in conjunction with the Principal, will make the decision concerning the granting of early admission to Kindergarten.

Admission shall be probationary and continued enrollment shall be dependent upon the child’s successful adjustment to school.

1^st Reading: February 11, 2004

Adopted: March 17, 2004

Revised: April 21, 2004 Narragansett School System

Revised: April 13, 2005 Narragansett, Rhode Island