Policy Brief – Junior Kindergarten
Senator Norman Sakamoto
January 30, 2008
Background
Children enter Kindergarten eager to learn. School personnel and parents want their children to succeed. Adjusting to present day kindergarten can be a difficult for some children and their families. This adjustment may be even more challenging for young children whose level of development level may not readily match the expectations of school.
At what age a child enters kindergarten varies across the United States. Hawaii had one of the latest cutoff dates to enter kindergarten in the Hawaii Department of Education, since a child could enter kindergarten up until December 31. Most of the private schools in Hawaii do not allow students to enter whose birthdates are after August.
Policy Implementation in Hawaii
Act 219 (2004), Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Program, addresses the concerns about children entering school too early. The Act changes the age criteria for entering kindergarten, and establishes a junior kindergarten. Beginning in school year 2006-07, children who are five years of age on or before August 31 of the school year will be enrolled in kindergarten. Children who are five years of age on or after August 2 of the school year will be enrolled in junior kindergarten.
The school curriculum for the junior kindergarten students is supposed to focus on meeting the developmental and learning needs of all students. Teachers are to provide learning experiences that are meaningful for young students by assisting the student in developing the behaviors, skills and attitudes they need to feel competent and confident in schools.
Some schools will have classes only for junior kindergarten eligible students. Other schools will have classes that have a mix of kindergarten and junior kindergarten students. In either case the schools are to provide the young student with positive experiences that are important in establishing the foundation for future school attitudes and success. Students will move from junior kindergarten to the developmentally appropriate grade level at the end of the year.
During the 2006 – 2007 year, there were 12,688 students in Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten. 4,700 of these students were eligible for the Junior Kindergarten program. About 3,000 were in Junior Kindergarten or mixed junior kindergarten/kindergarten classes. Some parents state that they want their child to go into the regular kindergarten program.
Where We Are Today
The goal of junior kindergarten in Act 219 is to provide all students with positive early experiences that promote life long learners. The Department of Education is evaluating the effectiveness of the various types of programs serving these young students. The pilot study has been completed and the final report is expected in spring of 2008.
For further information about programs like junior kindergarten, see the attached question and answer sheet and the references and resources sheet.
State of Hawaii
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN
QUESTIONS |
ANSWERS |
What is the goal of Act 219, Junior Kindergarten? |
The goal of Junior Kindergarten is to provide all students with positive early experiences that promote life long learners |
At what age does my child enter kindergarten? |
The cutoff date to enter kindergarten is inconsistent across the United States. The current cutoff date to enter kindergarten in Hawaii is December 31, one of the latest among the states. |
At what age can my child enter Junior Kindergarten? |
Students whose birthdays are from August 1 to December 31 will initially be identified as Junior Kindergarten. |
What will be taught in Junior Kindergarten |
Junior Kindergarten will provide young students with positive experiences that are important in establishing the foundation for future school attitudes and success. |
Where are Junior Kindergarten classes held? |
Some schools will have separate classes for Junior Kindergarten. Other schools will have a mix of kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten students. |
What happens after Junior Kindergarten? |
Students will move from Junior Kindergarten to the developmentally appropriate grade level at the end of the year. |
What does "readiness for school" mean? |
School readiness is about children's ability to adjust to the demands of school. This includes their knowledge base, but also includes their attitudes towards learning and their ability to get along with others. |
What is the difference between Junior Kindergarten and "child care"? |
Junior Kindergarten is an educational experience. A good child-care program can have many of the characteristics of a good junior-kindergarten class if there is a focus on the cognitive and social development of the child |
Why should my child attend Junior Kindergarten and then Kindergarten rather than go to first grade with their friends? |
To succeed in school a child must be ready for school. The developmental approach will enhance the chance of the child being successful in school. |
References and Resources
References: Hawaii
Brandt, M. E. (2006, March). Are younger children less capable? Age and third grade achievement in Hawaii. Paper presented at the Hawaii Educational Research Association Conference, Honolulu.
Essoyan, S. (2004). New law raises age for kindergarten. Star Bulletin. [Online 12/21/2007} http://starbulletin.com/2004/07/14/news/story3.html
Grace, D. & DeBaryshe, B. (December 18, 2006). Junior Kindergarten Pilot Program Evaluation 2005-2006. Honolulu, HI. Hawai‘i Educational Policy Center.
Harris, A. (2006). Ready or Not: Hawaii's Keiki Enter Kindergarten! Good Beginnings Alliance Policy Brief 3(1). Honolulu, HI.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2001). Position statement on still unacceptable trends in kindergarten entry and placement. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Shepard, L. & Smith, M. (1990). Synthesis of research on grade retention. Educational Leadership, 47(8), 84-88.
State of Hawai‘i. (2005). Department of Education, Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support. Implementation plan for Act 219: Two-tiered kindergarten program. Unpublished draft document.
State of Hawai‘i. (2003). School Readiness Task Force. Preschool Content Standards. www.goodbeginnings.org
Vast, T. (2005, February). Planning a compensation initiative for Hawai‘i's early care and education workforce: Key policy and design issues. Honolulu, HI, Good Beginnings Alliance. [Online 12/21/07].
http://goodbeginnings/pdf/COMP_INITIATIVE_050405.pdf
References: Other States and National
Gayl, C. (2007, Winter). Expanding preschool education: The federal role. Policy Research Brief. Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.
Harris, A. (2005, January). Squeezing lemons into lemonade: Should advocates compromise the ideal to secure funding for early childhood services? Smart Start's National Technical Assistance Center.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2001). Position statement on still unacceptable trends in kindergarten entry and placement. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Stipek, D. (2002). At what age should children enter kindergarten? A question for policy makers and parents. SRCD Social Policy Report, 15, 3-16.
Resources: Hawaii
Hawaii State Capitol Website
Go to the following section
§302A-411 Junior kindergarten and kindergarten program;
establishment attendance
Hawaii Department of Education: Junior Kindergarten http://doe.k12.hi.us/kindergartenjunior.htm
Resources: Other States and National
Access to Other State Statutes: Kindergarten--Age Issues http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/50/00/5000.doc
Education Commission of the States
National Association for the Education of Young Children:
Positions on Kindergarten
http://www.naeyc.org/ece/critical/kindergarten.asp