Is Early Entrance Right For My Child?
Are you considering early entrance for your child? This flyer describes the process used in Ashland Schools to help you determine if early entrance is a match.

What Is The Age Requirement For Kindergarten And First Grade?
In Oregon, a child must be five years old on or before September 1 of the school year they wish to enter kindergarten.
A child must be six years old on or before September 1 of the school year they want to enter first grade.

Are There Any Exceptions?
Early entry into school will be allowed for a student whose fifth (Kindergarten) or sixth (first grade) birthday occurs after September 1, but not later than November 15 and who is sufficiently advanced to succeed in the educational program based on an analysis by qualified professional staff of his/her cognitive, social and physical development.

First graders transferring from a public school do not need to apply for early entrance.

First graders transferring from a private school will be assessed for readiness in the same manner as other early entrance students.

How Do I Apply For Early Entrance?
Visit your child’s neighborhood school and ask for an ‘Early Entrance Request’ packet. Complete the packet and the parent questionnaire, and submit them to your school’s office anytime between April 15 and May 1. You will be contacted by a specialist to set up an appointment for an assessment. Requests posted after May 1st for any given school year cannot be considered.

What Are The Assessment Criteria?
Children born between Sept. 1 and September 15 require age-appropriate achievement scores in the 90th percentile; children born between September 16 and November 15 require scores in 92nd percentile.  If your child meets assessment criteria, the specialist will discuss additional steps that may include an observation of your child in their current school setting and formal interviews with his/her teachers.

What Happens Next?
A team from the school will meet with you to review the findings. If your child meets criteria and there is consensus that early entrance is appropriate for your child, then you may register for school. Results of the assessment and determination will be made available to parents after July 1.

Is There A Cost For The Assessment?
There is a $75.00 non-refundable assessment fee. The fee may be waived for families that can demonstrate fiscal hardship.

What If I Disagree With The Findings Of The Assessment?
You may elect to have your child assessed by a local clinical psychologist at your expense and ask that the school team consider the findings. Any such assessment would need to include appropriate measures to assess cognitive, social and physical development. Additional information may be submitted to the school prior to the initial findings or by August 1st for review.  Please contact the district Student Services Office or if you have questions.

Can I appeal the decision of the Screening Team if my child is not accepted for early entrance?
No. Every effort is being made to ensure that the screening process is fair and equitable. Decisions on kindergarten/ first grade readiness will be made by a team of professionals. The team’s decision is final.

REQUEST FOR EARLY ENTRANCE

EARLY ENTRANCE FLYER

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