Does entering kindergarten late improve a child's academic performance?
by
Sara Bernard
Yes. An older child succeeds more both academically and socially in kindergarten than a younger one. Students should not be rushed into academic settings before they are ready.
No. Even if achievement gaps based on age occur in kindergarten, they usually disappear by third grade. Poor families would be hit harder by a later starting age, and the pending legislation has more to do with test scores than with student well-being.
It depends on the child -– and on the preschool he or she may have attended. The age a child enters kindergarten should be left to the discretion of parents or guardians.
None of the above. (Comment below.)
Source URL:
http://www.edutopia.org/does-entering-kindergarten-late-improve-performance
This article originally published on 6/19/2007
Edutopia: What Works in Public Education © 2009 The George Lucas Educational Foundation • All rights reserved.
