Assignment of Students to Classes – Five Year-Olds

CODE: JECDA

Maine School Administrative District No. 31

ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO CLASSES – FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

Maine School Law permits children who are at least five years old on October 15th of the school year to enroll in school. The intent is that these students begin their school careers in Kindergarten at this age.

However, it is recognized that exceptions to this initial placement may be justified under limited circumstances as is acceleration at any grade level. In such rare cases, enrolling five-year-old students may be placed in first grade at the discretion of school officials in accordance with the following:

A. Social and emotional maturity should have been demonstrated such as to predict success in grade one; cost of testing to be

borne by parents;

B. The decision of placement lies with the principal, appealable to the Superintendent whose decision shall be final.

C. The right must be served to the school to administer testing (at District cost) as appropriate to making a proper determination

of placement;

D. Any such placement is to be conditioned upon demonstrated success, and reviewed at appropriate intervals; and

E. All exceptional placements are to be reported to the superintendent.

Legal Reference: TITLE 20A MRSA SEC. 5201.2

First Reading: 06/15/1994

Adoption: 07/20/1994