Is Kindergarten Manditory??

[Microcell]

We wanted to take DD to Disney this May and are doing it regardless, but she just had an emergency Appendectomy and she has missed probably 12 days this year with that and Flu combined. We are looking at 5 days missed for WDW but a friend said that not only is she bright and would do fine in 1st grade (the friend volunteers in her class so she has a good idea of her academic ability) but Kindergarten is not manditory. If they give us flack I just wonder if it is common that Kindergarten is considered optional?

 

[cats mom]

I know it's not mandatory in Idaho or Arizona - the two states we have had kindergarteners in.

I certainly would not worry about missing another 5 days of kindergarten for a family vacation - but be prepared - not everyone feels that way!

 

[speedi-deedi]

I think it is officially 'voluntary' in Kansas too. Most kids obviously attend anyway! We took our DS out of first grade in May a couple of years ago, and his teacher was great about it. She said "Oh, we'll be reviewing by then anyway". He was a good student, and it's not than unusual for kids to be out for the occasional family vacation in our school, from what I can tell. (It sure is different than how I grew up though!!)

 

[Cruisin]

I think that kindergarten is optional here. Most kids do go but they are not required to do so.

 

[Roemama1]

well, the saying "you learn something new every day" rings true for me here. I wasn't aware of it being optional. (Doesn't mean that it isn't here...I just never heard of that before).

 

[ripleysmom]

Roemama, kindergarden is not mandatory in NY state either.

Microcell, call the Board of Education in your district and ask them if kindergarden is mandatory.

 

[KimRaye]

I don't know that it's Kindergarten, per se, that isn't mandatory but, I think it's an age requirement. I THINK your child has to be in school/being schooled at age 6. NOT totally sure tho.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

KG is not required in IL or IN and the age 6 thing is not a requirement either. My daughter is 6 and is in KG because of her birthdate but she was not required to go. I decided to do the KG but she learned all the stuff beforehand.

 

[CPM]

The laws are different in all states. Check with the school. they have to be in school in FL if your child is six. It's almost the end of the year, I doubt 5 days will make a difference. You are only talking 17 days for the year?

 

[shortbun]

It's mandatory in Ohio but missing 17 days missed doesn't
constitute failure. Ohio law states parents and teachers have
to agree on failure. Go to WDW and require some type of
learning be done there. We do something almost every day
at our house-spelling, journalling, math, reading.

 

[CEDmom]

Attending kindergarten is not mandatory in New Jersey. What is mandatory is that all districts provide at least a 1/2 day session.

 

[Kteacher]

attending school is not mandatory until age 6 here in Ma.

 

[Kimberle]

In CT, a child is not required to attend school until they are 7. I don't know if they will be required to start w/ kindergarten or not.

Besides the academic part, your child will miss the social. Kids will be forming friendships. It will be a bit harder for your child to find her place socially if she starts in 1st grade.

I'd suggest talking with your school administrator and/or teacher before the year starts. You may find they will be very willing to work with you.

Good luck,

 

[bananiem]

In our district after 10 missed days you get a letter stating that any more missed days and you have to meet with the school social worker and the principal. However, the days missed for the appendectomy would be excused with a doctor's note and would not count against you.

 

[floridafam]

In Michigan, Kindergarten is not mandatory.

 

[gravymom]

I don't know if K is mandatory here in GA or not. I suspect it is. My DD (who is fairly smart and staying on top of what they are learning) has missed 25 - yes, 25 - days this year. 5 were my fault but the other 20 have been due to 3 back to back cases of strep, asthma flare ups (when they call you to come pick your child up bc she is coughing so much they can't teach around her, what can you do??), a wicked virus that caused her to run a temp of 103+ for 4 days, etc. The school has yet to say word one to me. I have tried to start sending in dr.'s notes when I have them (don't always have them for the asthma flares) but so far, DFACS has not knocked on my door.

I would imagine that in 1st grade, the absences would impact her learning, but she is able to keep up in K.

Good luck to you

 

[tar heel]

It's not mandatory in North Carolina either. School attendance here is compulsory for ages 7-16.

 

[zurgswife]

I believe that per the Fedeal Government Kindergarten is not a complusory grade. I could be wrong but the age at which each individual state makes it madatory to go to school is typically around the age at which most kids in the state would start first grade.

I think in PA it is 7.

 

[Microcell]

Well, I think I am not going to worry too much. She will have missed probably 22 days or so after all is said and done. I would be worried if she had actually been challanged this year, but I am hard pressed to think of anything she didn't already know that they are "teaching" her. The handbook for her school said that after 15 abscences the police could be notified if talking with the principal did not help, but no one has even contacted us from the school yet. I am just fearful that they will say she needs to go to school the rest of the year without missing or something like that. I asked her teacher to call me so I can find out who I should speak to about the abscences. Wish me luck.

 

[Microcell]

All her teacher told me is that she could get disenrolled and I would need to re-enroll her if abscences get too excessive. She said she is doing fine academically and she would not be held back for too many days out. That is good to hear!