While states have developed policies around a cut-off date for kindergarten entrance, some parents chose to have their child enter kindergarten before this date (Early Entrance) as an acceleration technique, or hold the child back from entering, a practice termed Redshirting, to allow for greater maturity and increased achievement in relation to…

In the United States, when a child turns five years of age, he or she is eligible to enroll and attend five-year old kindergarten. Parents and caregivers are often tasked with making the decision on whether or not to enroll their child when eligible to attend kindergarten or if the child should be held back another year (redshirted) and attend…

Gifted girls and gifted boys are more alike than they are different, although researchers remain fascinated with sex differences. Small differences between gifted boys and girls in achievements, interests, careers, and relationships can become exaggerated through gendered educational practices. Kindergarten "red-shirting" of boys and the denial of…

This research bulletin provides criteria and procedures for determining the readiness of children to enter kindergarten early. The first section of the bulletin reviews the results of a literature search conducted to delineate areas of development from which admissions criteria should be defined. The review of the literature disclosed the…

York County (Canada) rolled back the age requirement for kindergarten admission so as to permit the enrollment of four-year-olds wherever space was available. This was done because kindergarten enrollment in many communities were declining and if junior kindergartens were established in all community schools, many would have very small…

To help ensure that students were being placed in grade levels appropriately, the Mukwonago School District formulated a plan for early educational programing. Criteria and procedures for early admission into kindergarten classes are discussed. (DF)

A follow-up study of 11 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who had entered kindergarten early demonstrated the advantages of early entrance for social and academic adjustment. (SB)

This article reports on the results of a study in which performances of kindergarten tasks by early entrants to kindergarten and regular-age entrants were compared at the end of the school year. The need for research-based criteria for success in kindergarten for males and females is explored. (DF)

How well do early school entrants adjust socio-affectively when compared to their regularly admitted peers? Despite numerous publications on the subject, much controversy remains, mainly because of methodologically fragile studies. To assess the impact of a new early entrance policy in Quebec, 36 kindergarten and 42 Grade 2 teachers who had at…

Presents a four-year follow-up study comparing the performance of intellectually superior children (N=25) admitted early to school and the performance of normal children (N=40) admitted at the regular time. Achievement scores, self-emotional adjustment, and school success (promotion/retention) are discussed. Results revealed nonsignificant…

This report describes the comparisons of three groups of 1976-77 kindergarten students in the Seattle, Washington public schools: (1) early entrants who were screened by the Student Services Office; (2) early entrants admitted by school principals; and (3) a random sample of non-early entrants. The groups were compared on the basis of teacher…

This report presents initial findings of a field study which focused on the academic achievement and behavioral and social adjustment of 148 kindergarten children who entered first grade early. The study took place in Broward County, Florida, following implementation of the 1973 state legislation permitting early entrance into first grade for…

This paper discusses research on early entrance to public school and individual decisions regarding early entrance. The discussion of research findings briefly alludes to four areas of research relevant to the early admission of children to kindergarten and first grade. These areas of research concern: (1) attitudes of school personnel; (2)…

In 1978, the Montgomery County (Maryland) public schools initiated an early admission (EA) pilot program that allowed 5-year olds to enter first grade. Two approaches were utilized: Under Plan I, a small number of 5-year olds entered regular grade 1 classes; under Plan II entire classes of 5-year olds attended school the full day, with the…