Why is September 1 the date by which a student must have turned five years old to enter kindergarten, when the usual cut off date for the state is in December?
September 1 was chosen for some very specific reasons, including the following: 1. California is in the minority of states with its late cut off date; the majority have a September 1 cut off; 2. We repeatedly hear educators say that children do better the farther they are past their fifth birthday when entering kindergarten. The MHUSD kindergarten teachers support an early cut off date and have recently signed a petition asking for a September 1 cut off date; 3. Our school days will be longer than the district’s and that much more draining on younger children; 4. The demands and expectations of kindergarten have increased dramatically with many previously first grade requirements now placed on the K students and teachers; and 5. Children learn concepts when they are developmentally ready to learn. Early exposure alone does not mean that they will learn faster or better if they are not emotionally, socially, physically or cognitively ready to do so.
