Report Title:

Education; Kindergarten Entrance Age

 

Description:

Changes the date upon which the minimum age for entering kindergarten is to be computed from December 31 to September 30 beginning school year 2005-2006. Requires the cost savings to be used for the expansion of, or to supplement, educational programs, including Resources for Early Access to Learning (R.E.A.L.) and Pre Plus programs. (SD3)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2032

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 3

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 between "older" students and "younger" students within a grade, in terms of their performance and ability. Additional data relating to students' birth dates and specific learning disabilities have been 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 advance the cutoff date for kindergarten to September 30 beginning with the 2005-2006 school year. This Act also requires the funds saved by the consequent reduction of teachers for school year 2005-2006 to be used for early education, school readiness, and the Pre Plus program, as well as for the expansion of, or to supplement, related educational programs as determined by the department of education and the department of human services. After school year 2005-2006, all cumulative funds saved as the result of this Act shall be committed to, or used by, the department of education for Resources for Early Access to Learning (R.E.A.L.), the Pre Plus program, class size reduction, repair and maintenance, school expansion, and other program enhancements as determined by the superintendent and approved by the board of education.

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 31] January 1 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 board shall develop informational guidance to promote the understanding of a child's readiness for kindergarten.] beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, no child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age before October 1 of the school year unless otherwise provided for under this subsection. For the 2005-2006 school year and in each succeeding school year thereafter, the department shall make available, upon request, to parents or guardians, an appropriate readiness assessment of children entering kindergarten who will not be five years of age before July 1 of the school year. If a child who is not at least five years of age before July 1 of the school year in which the child is to enroll in kindergarten, is assessed as ready to enter kindergarten, then the department shall allow the child to enroll."

SECTION 3. It is the intent of the legislature that the cost savings created by changing the cutoff date for kindergarten children to September 30 beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, be used for early education, school readiness, and Pre Plus programs, as well as for the expansion of, or to supplement, educational programs as determined by the department of education and the department of human services. The director of finance shall determine the amounts of savings realized and report those amounts to the legislature not less than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Beginning July 1, 2006, all cumulative funds saved as the result of this Act shall be committed to, or used by, the department of education for Resources for Early Access to Learning (R.E.A.L.), the Pre Plus program, class size reduction, repair and maintenance, school expansion, and other program enhancements as determined by the superintendent and approved by the board of education.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.