JGAA - ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO CLASSES - FIVE-YEAR- OLDS

Section J: Students

Maine School Law permits children who are at least five years old on October 15 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;

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

C. The right must be reserved to the school to administer testing 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.

The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations/procedures to implement this policy.

Legal Reference: TITLE 20A MRSA SEC. 5201.2

Approved: 12/11/1995
Reviewed: 12/08/1997
Reviewed: 02/01/2010

Section J