2230P Transition to Program Procedure

Kindergarten Early Entry, Intervention Entrance Qualifications

To be admitted to a kindergarten program that commences in the fall of the year, a child must be not less than 5 years of age prior to September 1st of that school year, and demonstrate need for additional preparation for kindergarten through additional preparation.  

The district has discretion to establish individualized exceptions for a student who turned 5 years old between June 1 and August 31 of the year they would be eligible by age to enter kindergarten under WAC 392-335-010 but who demonstrates need for additional preparation for kindergarten through the screening process.

Early Entry Kindergarten Intervention Application/Assessment Process

  1. Application for early entrance for children living within the Burlington-Edison School District Boundaries must include:

    1. Proof of Burlington-Edison School District permanent residency

    2. A copy of the child’s birth certificate (or other proof of legal name and age).

    3. The application for early entrance to kindergarten form, 

    4. A developmental questionnaire to be completed by the parent/guardian regarding the child.

  2. An early entrance assessment is required. This assessment will include, but may not be limited to,  (1)  physical, health, and motor development; (2) social and emotional development; (3) approaches toward learning; (4) language, literacy and communication; and (5) cognition and general knowledge. .

  3. The district reserves the right to annually establish a fee to pay for the cost of the assessments noted above. Parents for whom the cost of an assessment would cause undue hardship may request exemption or reduction from fees. These requests will be considered on the basis of submission of a “Free and Reduced Meal” application and qualifying for free or reduced meals.

  4. The screening process is conducted by the Transitional Kindergarten Teacher(s) and reviewed by a district multidisciplinary team.. The assessment team will include a school psychologist, a kindergarten teacher, building principal, and district administrator.

  5. The Early Entrance to Kindergarten team will review the applications and assessments and come to a decision in regards to a child’s need and/or ability to enter kindergarten early. The student must meet the screening criteria in all areas and receive a recommendation from the Early Entrance to Kindergarten team. 

  6. Upon completion of early entry Kindergarten intervention, students will continue Kindergarten for the following school year.

Eligibility Considerations 

  1. Resident Students of the Burlington-Edison School District

  2. Give priority to children most in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten, as demonstrated through a screening process

  3. Give priority to children with the lowest family income, not otherwise participating in another local program.

  4. Not exclude or establish a policy to prohibit participation of an eligible child due only to the presence of a disability.

Adoption Date: 10/23

Revised: 12/24