Report Title:

Kindergarten Entrance; Minimum Age Requirement

Description:

Requires a child to be at least 5 years old on or before 9/1 of the school year to attend kindergarten, regardless of when the school convenes. (HB335 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

335

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that studies nationally and locally have found substantial differences in performance and ability between "older" students and "younger" students within a grade.

Additional data relating to students' birthdates and specific learning disabilities have been also analyzed locally. Analysis of March 1998 statewide data indicated a correlation between birth month and learning disability certification. It was found that a disproportionate number of those born in the latter half of the calendar year (July through December) were classified as learning disabled. Students at greatest risk are boys born between July and December. They account for a disproportionate number of students who are retained at their present grade level, have school adjustment problems, or are certified as learning disabled.

In light of these and other findings, the legislature believes that a change in the minimum age requirement for entrance to kindergarten can provide a more level playing field for those students born in the latter half of the calendar year. The temporary inconvenience or disruption to some parents and the education system must be weighed against the potential long-term benefit to the child and the cost savings to society that will result as enrollment in special education and other remedial programs decline. The legislature further finds that, in the long run, changing the kindergarten entrance age will prove to be sound public policy that will result in the most good for the majority of the general public.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require that a child must be five years of age on or before September 1st of the year in which the child enters kindergarten, beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The department shall establish and maintain kindergartens with a program of instruction as a part of the public school system; provided that attendance shall [not] be mandatory. No child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age on or before December 31st of the school year; provided that a child attending a school that convenes after the regular school schedule shall be five years of age on or before one hundred twenty-five days following the date the school convenes[; and provided further that the]. The board shall develop informational guidance to promote the understanding of a child's readiness for kindergarten.

Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, a child shall be at least five years of age on or before September 1st of the year in which the child enters any kindergarten."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.