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Leaving bright kids behind
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Published: April 1, 2009
My son will turn 5 on Sept. 15. He now falls two weeks behind the new Aug. 31 cutoff for kindergarten. Although this is a new state law, the state agrees that the local systems have the option of allowing or declining based on the child's need. Their cutoff is simply a guideline.
I have tried for months now to find out what I could do or what Iredell-Statesville Schools could do to help me get him in. He's more than right on par with his peers who have birthdays within the year before him. Socially and academically, he is more than ready to attend kindergarten.
As a parent, I realize that there must be a cutoff date; however, no matter what that date is, you are always going to have at least a 12-month range of kids. What should matter most is whether the child is ready or not. If a parent feels his or her child should be held back, they are free to make that choice, but if a parent wants to give his or her child a chance and start them when they feel they are ready, there's no leeway. My child suffers in the end.
I think the rules/policies should be re-examined and something should be set up for kids who fall into this category. Sure, you may have a few parents who try to get their kids in before they are really ready, or the few who may just be trying to get out of paying another year of child care, but neither is the case in our situation. I am a stay-at-home mom with my own business, so childcare and being with my son has never been an issue. In fact, I have greatly enjoyed the time with him. As his mother, I see that it would be in his best interest to go ahead and start school.
I-SS just is not willing to consider the child. They are set on their policies. The policy they kept referring me back to is one that states a child must complete advanced placement testing and score a minimum of 98 percent in order to be considered.
This testing process, as I was told by one of the I-SS-recommended psychologists, is not designed for kids who are just shy of the cutoff, but for kids who are way behind the cutoff and well advanced beyond their peers. The principal still has the ultimate decision on whether or not to accept the child.
The testing is supposed to be done by an N.C. certified psychologist, which is not cheap. I was told by Superintendent Terry Holliday that the school system has a staff psychologist who could test him and that it could be set up through the principal. I went that route and though the principal I met with was very understanding, concerned and interested in helping, he didn't have all the answers. He was then told things completely different from what I was told. Several other conversations have taken place with other I-SS employees who supposedly know what to do but they've all led in circles, which led me to one conclusion: There really is nothing set up for the kids who just barely miss the cutoff but are ready to start school. They are simply left behind.
It kills me that I cannot do what is best for my child. I wish I could afford to send him to private school, where he meets the date cutoffs and they are willing to observe each child themselves to see if they are truly ready. They seem very interested in starting children when they are ready and not based on someone else's clock. Unfortunately, our income just can't handle private school. I truly believe that the I-SS should have something in place for a child like my son.
Hopefully, my letter will get out there so that in the future, other parents who are hoping to give their child an early chance will not face the sadness, disappointment and frustration that I have. After all, they are our future, aren't they worth more than policies and dates?
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