22.1-199 - Kindergarten programs suitable for certain children. - Virginia Statutes

§ 22.1-199. Kindergarten programs suitable for certain children.

A. The kindergarten program in each school division shall include a programsuitable for children who will reach their fifth birthday on or beforeSeptember 30 of the school year. The school board's plan for such programshall be furnished to the Board of Education and shall include the following:

1. A statement of purpose and objectives of the kindergarten program thatreflects consideration of the different readiness and maturity levels ofchildren in the program;

2. A description of the organization, scheduling and staffing of the programthat reflects a responsiveness to the needs of the children of the age spanto be served in the program;

3. Evidence that the program plan was developed by a committee that includedearly childhood specialists, parents, teachers and administrators;

4. Scheduling and an agenda of in-service activities for kindergartenteachers to ensure adequate preparation for the program;

5. A plan for the interface of the kindergarten program with the primaryprogram to allow for continuous progress.

B. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall disseminate to the schooldivisions information concerning the ages when children are required oreligible to attend school. Each school division shall disseminate suchinformation to parents of such children of such ages upon or prior toenrollment of such children in the public schools of the division.

C. The age requirements set forth in subsection A of this section shall notaffect the operation of any two-tiered, junior or other developmentallyappropriate pre-kindergarten program or transitional first grade. In thoseschool divisions implementing such programs, children whose fifth birthdayoccurs between October 1 and December 31 of the school year may be enrolledin kindergarten after an appropriate readiness evaluation has demonstratedthat attendance in these programs will educationally benefit such children.

(Code 1950, § 22-218.1:1; 1978, c. 518; 1980, cc. 559, 570; 1985, c. 407;1990, c. 792; 1991, c. 138.)