Since we homeschool and I don't feel like dealing with the district, I am SO thankful for the late WA age for compulsory schooling. Won't have to send in a letter to them for 3 more years.If I were sending DS to school, I might wait to deal with the nonsense until 8, too, teaching him at home and putting him into the grade that he fits at that time. I wouldn't be just starting him off at 8 in K (and it's WEIRD to me that there seem to be people doing that???).
I have lived in WA for almost 30 years and I have a 4th grader & a 2nd grader. I have never seen this. I have seen them hold them back a year (especially boys) if they have late birthdays. I'm pretty sure (at least in my district), if you are 8 they will put you in 1st or 2nd grade and then catch you up if needed.