Originally Posted by
georgiegirl
It drives me bonkers unless the kid is within say 2 months of the cut off or has real developmental issue. My DS (mid-july b-day) will turn 5 four weeks before he starts K. I will send him on time unless his pre-K teachers strongly recommend to hold him back. I have a friend whose DS is born at the end of April and she's holding him back...he's almost 5 months away from the cut-off (9/15). I don't want kids 15 months older than my DS in his same class, especially since DS is about 2 months away from the cut-off. I'm fine with a range of 15 months total, kids who are born in July and August can go either way. I don't want my child to be disadvantaged because people hold their kids back who are technically ready. I think red shirting should be the exception rather than the rule.
So I think it is well within the school district's right to "force" the girl to start first rather than K, especially since the cut off for California is in the fall.
Especially my bolded part. Someone's child has to be the youngest. If you don't want it to be your child, have your babies in February. Otherwise, why have age guidelines at all? Why can't my (hypothetical) 3-year-old start K next year? I think she's ready....
DS '04 "Boogaboo"
DD '08 "Lilybear"