MichiganofDepartmentEducation http://www.michigan.gov/studentissues MDE Recommends

h udrtnig ht h Dprmn i nt nae i rneig ea avc. T advice. legal rendering in engaged not is desiringorrequiring legal advice should seek the services of anattorney. Department the that understanding the with distributed is and Education of Department Michigan the of service a as provided is information This program. t that personnel district school of recommendation any despite kindergarten in enrollment child’s the accept to obligated is child i ruled General Attorney Michigan The Alternative beable claimto thechildstate for school aid purposes. afour ofeligibility the school year enrollmentof as described I above. Note:Districts are not requiredenrollto a child kindergartenin theuntil child meets the age kindergarten. r guardian legal orother age factors. child's to the kindergartendue in ready not toenroll is child the that guardian parent orlegal district receive that school A year. thatschool for kindergarten in child to the enroll intends orshe writing district he the that in notified has guardian parent orlegal the year thatschool if for child the mayyear, enroll thedistrict thanDecember 1 later not age yearsbe 5 of will but 1147, under Section year thatschool for school attend to eligible be to requirement minimum age not meet the S Exceptions district school a in enrollment for eligibility alsoapply ato child's enrollto eligibility ain public school academy. child's a for above prescribed ages The Note: meemust the aid, state receive membership in and count eligible to tobe the pupil district enrollment. year of school agethe September on 5years1of atleast of is child wh year, achild school 2015 the with Beginning October 1,2014. on 5years atleast ofage is the child if kindergarten in district may school enroll the in who year,resides achild school 2015 at the is l child if kindergarten For the2013 kindergarten in December 1toenroll a entitles law Michigan AgeEnrollment MCL380.1147 under Law Compiled Michigan section The ection 6(4)(l)(iii) of the State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1606) provides that if a child does achild if that provides (MCL Aid Act 388.1606) State the School 6(4)(l)(iii) of ection - yearold ulfe b rsdne n ae o ted idratn te col itit is district school the kindergarten, attend to age and residence by qualified

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ALTERNATIVE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS KINDERGARTEN ALTERNATIVE eie Sho Code School Revised o resides in the school district may enroll in kindergarten if the maykindergartenif in district school enroll the in o resides for Age Enrollment resident Programs KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT KINDERGARTEN

s this written notification may make a recommendation to the to notification may make written arecommendation this s However, regardless of this recommendation, the parent or parent the thisrecommendation, of regardless However, east 5 years of age on November 1, 2013. For onNovemberthe2014 age 1,2013. 5years of east he child attend an alternative developmental kindergarten kindergarten developmental alternative an attend child he chil s

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Michigan Department of Education Frequently Asked Questions About Changes in the Kindergarten Entry Age

June 2014

Question Answer Implication for Payment of State School Aid/Counting Child in Membership 1. What is the age my child must be 5 on or before November 1 Child counts in membership. to enter K in 2013? 2. What is the age my child must be 5 on or before October 1 Child counts in membership. to enter K in 2014? 3. What is the age my child must be 5 on or before September 1 Child counts in membership. to enter K in 2015 and in subsequent years? 4. What must I do if I want to enroll Inform the resident district in writing of your Child counts in membership. my child whose birthdate is before intent to enroll your child in kindergarten December 1 but after the using the exception found in Section enrollment date for the year 6(4)(l)(iii) of the State School Aid Act (MCL he/she turns 5? 388.1606).

5. What if my child is enrolled in K If the child is a resident of the district, inform Before Count Day: early and we move to another the district in writing of your intent to enroll The district could count the child if the district or from a state with an your child in kindergarten using the parent notified the district of the early earlier entry date? Will he/she be exception found in Section 6(4)(l)(iii) of the enrollment. allowed to continue in K? State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1606). After Count Day: If the child is not a resident of the district, No membership would be awarded if the the parent may request continued enrollment child moved to the district from another of the child, but the district is not required to state. allow the early enrollment. If the child was counted in another district during the Fall Count, and the enrollment in the new district would occur prior to the Spring Count, then it’s possible that the district could be awarded membership through Section 25e of the State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1625e).

6. What if I want my child to The child must participate in the schools of In order for the student to be eligible for participate in another district choice (SOC) selection process; in addition, state aid, the parent must notify the SOC through schools of choice (SOC)? the parent would need to notify the SOC district of the desire for early enrollment. district of the desire for early enrollment. Enrollment in the SOC district would then The district must allow a child eligible for depend on if the application/enrollment early enrollment to participate in the process window for the district was still open. if the parent indicates to the district by the early enrollment notification date that s/he Additionally, if the district operates a intends to have the child participate in the limited SOC program, the district is schools of choice selection process. required to follow the guidelines for enrollment under 388.1705/388.1705c in the event that seats become available. 7. What about entering a Public The child must participate in the PSA In order for the student to be eligible for School Academy early? selection process. The PSA must allow a state aid, the parent must notify the PSA child eligible for early enrollment to district of the desire for early enrollment. participate in the selection process as an eligible kindergartner if the parent indicates to PSA by the early enrollment notification date that s/he intends to have the child participate in the PSA selection process.