Lawmakers vote to raise kindergarten age

The earliest age at which California children could start kindergarten would go up three months under a measure passed by the state Senate on Wednesday. Youngsters would have to turn 5 by Sept. 1 under the proposal, which would reduce the state’s kindergarten population by 100,000.

The state would save big money by booting all those kids out of kindergarten. But proponents of the legislation say half of the $700 million to be saved would go to helping those same children through expanded public preschool programs. The rest would go toward closing the state deficit.

"Both the research and our classroom teachers are telling us that California kids are starting kindergarten too young,’’ said Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the author of SB 1381. "The net result is it’s not good for them educationally and it’s not good for the other kids in the classroom who get a little less attention because the teachers are struggling to deal with those young 4-year-olds.’’

The measure, which next goes to the state Assembly, passed on a 28-4 vote after it was opposed by the California Teachers Assn. "The current state preschool program is not accessible to all children and we do not believe it is appropriate to displace students without access to preschool," the teachers group said in a written protest.

Some parent groups, however, support the age change.

-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Comments

[Sherry Bartholome]

Gosh yea, from that pic, I must say I am not interested in educating the children of another country. Spend more money on police and crowd control to protect me from the poor throngs. Best be ready for the coming civil war in the next few decades. Gosh what a mess California and this country has created.

[Brenda]

I don't understand how this will work to reduce class size for any year but the first year that this is in effect. If you change it so that kids must be 5 before they enter kindergarten, you might reduce the class size for the first year, but each subsequent year, you'll have the same number of kids as before (one full year's worth of 5 year olds).

[tomsmom]

As an elementary educator my opinion is that it is not that the students are too young, it is that the standards (what they are to be taught and expected to master) are not developmentally appropriate. Kindergarten traditionally was for developing social skills, fine motor skills, and reading readiness. Now kindergarten students, many of whom don't know their colors, shapes, numbers, or in some cases even their first names, are expected to be reading, counting to 100, and adding and subtracting.

[tw33ti3]

CA public schools are already failing by providing only half day (3 1/2 hrs) of Kindergarten compared to 7-8 hrs at private schools. The age is not the problem ... kids need to be better prepared at home and at preschool. My second grader is far more advanced than his peers because he's had an advantage of having extra hours of learning in Kindergarten. Is this the best the lawmakers can come up with to balance the budget?

[Laurie]

The budget is just an excuse to do what's long over due. In almost every other state children are 5 by the time the start kindergarten. Allowing kids to start kindergarten when they are more developmentally ready is a gift we should give them and our teachers. When students are ready for school, they are more successful. Could one of the reasons California's kids don't fare as well on standardized tests is our kids are younger?

[Gia D.]

Anyone who has ever taught kindergarten will tell you there is a huge difference between those children who have already turned 5 by the start of the school year and those who have late birthdays. You may occasionally find a 4-year-old who can handle kindergarten, but for the most part they're too immature to handle the demands of today's curriculum. Kindergarten isn't what it used to be! Skills once taught in first grade are now the norm for kindergarten. It's better to let these children wait a year to enter school than allow them to enroll and constantly lag behind their classmates.

[lateacher]

So my son who would turn 5 on Sept. 11 will have to wait to start school until he is nearly 6 but kids who turned five on Aug 31st will be in the same class. This does not make much sense.

[Roxy]

LAUSD has a policy that does NOT allow a student that is age 18 attend a traditional high school (yes, even if they were currently enrolled). They must enroll in adult school. Can you imagine how many students beginning in 2024 will not have the chance to graduate with their class but instead get their diploma in the mail. I think private schools will be getting a huge boost in enrollment as they do not follow these dumd policies put in place because our politicians wont take a pay cut. How about we institute an age limit on politicians such as, "you must be between the ages of 50 and 54 to run for office, if you happen to turn 55 in the middle of your term oh well sorry bye-bye, please exit the state house. If LAUSD removes this policy, I will be more inclined to keep my children in LAUSD.

[mia]

CA does poorly in academics because it ranks #48 on the list of per student funding for education. We are almost last on the list of states who actually value an education. This is not an illegal immigrant issue. The fact that students are English language learners does not equate to them being illegal. There are plenty of ELL's who are citizens, the majority in fact. Furthermore, there exists research that promotes the idea of being bilingual. Students who are bilingual, acquire phonics at a faster rate than English Only students. It also fosters reasoning skills and critical thinking.

[KM]

Um, are any of you aware that this is merely going back to the old date? It was a Repub gov (Wilson I believe) that moved it to Dec 1 as part of an earlier budget savings.

[G]

This is the norm in MOST states, Sept 1, is the norm cut off date. Dec. 1 is silly!

I am all for it!

[Heather]

The problem is not that kids are starting kindergarten too young, it is that we're expecting too much of our children at too young of an age! Kids haven't changed but the standards sure have.

[john]

My wife is an all day kindergarten teacher in a low income predominately minority school, she has students who started this school year at 4 years of age, they are now reading, writing and are able to do simple math. Many come from difficult home lives, parents in jail, ECT. To delay the start of education for these children may be in the best interest of politicians, but as a society we will pay the price down the line. If you compare what children are taught in preschool to what is taught in kindergarten in 2010 you are not informed as to what these children are learning. The wealthy will not be affected by this change, as they have their children in private schools, at a cost of 25 to 30 thousand a year. By the way, how is 700 million being saved, could it be the 4 to 5 thousand teaching positions that will be eliminated? If the United States continues with the destruction of our education system then we deserve what we get 2o years from now when we will be paying the price for not properly educating our children.

[Al]

I think this is great as a early educator. Children should be 5 when they start school then everyone would be on a level playing field. They are doing it for the wrong reasons though. As for all the comments on illegal immigrants... Last time I checked we are all immigrants from somewhere! Racism in any form is unacceptable.

[Randall Freeman]

June 5, 2010

RE: SB 1381

SB 1381 Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), changes the enrolling age for admission to kindergarten from December 2nd to September 1st of the enrolling school year. It was just passed by the state senate 28-4. This action is long-overdue and hopefully will pass the assembly and be signed into law by the governor.
As a kindergarten teacher of 11 years and first grade of 6 years, I have witnessed firsthand the consequences of children with late birthdays struggle in kindergarten and first grade. When our (triplet) daughters became eligible to enroll in kindergarten, my wife (also an experienced kindergarten and first grade teacher) and I made the decision to delay enrolling them by a year due to the November birthdays. We have never regretted the decision. The girls are completing third grade at the top of their class.
I am a National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood Generalist (2002) This summer, I am completing my doctorate in Early Childhood Education and will begin the renewal process for my National Board Certification in that area. I serve as a member of the Menifee Union School District Governing Board. Early Childhood Education is my passion and my area of expertise. Were it left to me, I would provide each kindergarten teacher with students who were at least 5 years of age when the entered their classroom. For a year-round school, this would require that a child entering kindergarten in July turn 5 years of age in July. The developmental differences between a 5-year-old child and one who is barely 4 ½ are great.

I urge all voters to support the passage of this extremely important bill. The sooner the admission age is adjusted; the better off our children will be educationally and emotionally

[Dan B]

Most states have Sept. 1 as the kindergarten starting date...moving the start date up three months is preferable to retaining a 4 year old who doesn't have the maturity to have an attention span conducive to learning. Since when did kindergarten become child care. Even in college we see athletes being "red shirted" so that they can extend their college ability. Children would still get their 13 years of elementary/HS education; so were is the loss to them...gee is the problem that they are graduating a few months later. And, stop with the immigrant bashing...what about the freeloading citizens who don't contribute taxes...nothing in this world is completely equal.

[Momofactualkindergarteners]

I don't understand the outcry about this. Sept 1 is the cutoff in most other states, and most four year olds are not ready for kindergarten. Mine certainly wasn't, and he thrived entering at 5.5. Are people really that put out that they have to pay for pre-K for their children? Here is some food for thought: in our district, many people send the Fall birthday kids to kindergarten at age four, fully intending to have them repeat the year. There's a great use of resources.

[Adrienne]

This bill would save money for 13 years, not just one year. The first kindergarten class entering under this bill will be smaller than any other class, and that small size will continue through high school (K-12 = 13 years).

[Wayne]

Good idea. Some of the kids are graduating too young, some have just turned 17.

[Sabrina]

I find this to be ridiculous. I mean Shouldn't we be trying to get them into school sooner not later. Children learn more, faster before the age of 5. Mind you, I am glad my oldest dodged that bullet he was born sept 5th yikes my it doesnt change anything for my march baby but im still pissed. Our country and my home state just keep getting dumber.

[elaine mcmahon]

I teach K in L.A. 4 year olds ARE NOT ready for kindergarten. It serves as a babysitting service for Mom and Dad.This year I am retaining 3 middle class students that had NO business in kindergarten. The requirements for CA K students is on par with what 1st grade used to be. I'm afraid until you have taught a K class you have no idea what you are talking about.Learning to read, write, spell, add, subtract, learn science and history is not suited for 4 year olds. What's the hurry? Let the babies play till they are ready for academics. That's what they do all day long while the others are trying to master the standards. 5 years only is the BEST news I've heard this school year,besides 12 furlough days instead of a permenate 12% paycut as threatened !!!!

[AdoptiveFather, Los Angeles CA]

Vote them out!

Give us vouchers!

[Monica]

This is supposed to be about saving the state of California some money, Yet most of the posters here seem to only be focused on what illegal race of children is ousting your, im sure white kids.
I had My son at a young age. I never asked for any handouts from California or the Govn't. I delt with the consequence of my actions. I dont think Every one should have to pay for my decision. Yes times are really hard my husband is unemployed and i work for one of the poorest states In the U.S.A. Although saving money is a good deal.
We should stop giving out all the darn handouts to single mothers who seem to keep having childrean from dead beat dads whom they love so much. I pay for rent , groceries, healthcare, dental care, and every other insurance we need under my sunny son of California. I am proud of it. I came from a middle class family My father was let go of nummi. A Car manufacturer and my mother cleaned houses with her 8th grade education. guess what they never asked for any hand outs and they did every thing by the books.
Im pretty sure i would qualify for some programs but my heart wouldnt let me. so maybe if we could cut back on some programs , woman wouldnt just have kids left and right they dont have to pay for because we foot their bill.
maybe if they had some responsibilities they wouldnt just do the next guy.
I do agree this is a band aid on california dont get me wrong. but how many people have one partner that is unemployed right now and can do some home schooling with their own kids. they Just choose not to so they dont have to put up with their own rug rats! We do on the other hand want some one who gets crummy pay and no respect from their students to.
If every one paid their taxes like we are supposed to and didnt try skimpin out and save selfishly our selvs some money maybe we would be in a better place in Ca.
but howmany of u bloggers fudge your taxes. I think thats just as bad as illegals comming in. What ever lets you sleep at night though.
i dont agree with illegal immegration but immegration done through the right chanels is ok. until you come only for the darn hand outs!!!!
Obviously in other places we must cut spending and asses our low school ratings , student to teacher ratios. We as PARENTS ALSO NEED TO PUT FORTH THE EFFORT WITH OUR OWN CHILDREN. maybe our scores wouldnt be so low if we spent time with our own children.

[charity]

booting children out of kindergarten? I think your statement is incorrect. It refers to children who have not even started school yet.

I am agonizing about my child starting school this september. We live in British Columbia Canada, and our children must be 5 by Dec 31st. My child birthdate is Oct and she is not ready. But I want to follow the guidelines. Do I ignore her inadequacies or forge ahead?
I wish they would change the age limit, so that I would feel that my child is 'normal'. This may sound selfish but there are three other parents in our preschool sruggling with the same thing...

[Dorothea Flanigan]

I taught Kinder for 2 years of 15. I'm in the inner-city of L.A. I have always thought that most, not all, 4 year olds were too young for the blast of work they get. There's no nap time, like I had in K. What's wrong is that some parents dump their children from 7 am to 6 pm because there are after-school "programs". What you have is a child who can't even go lie down, is eating outside, crying, stressed, and unhappy. The problem is that it is cruelty to leave a child this young, upwards to 11 hrs. a day because THEY CAN! I have hugged these young ones crying, and hoped somebody wouldn't call me a pervert for it! Grandma teacher