Major Kindergarten Changes Impact WeHa Schools

WEST HARTFORD, CT — In 2024-25, major changes in state educational regulations regarding when children can enter kindergarten will take effect.

And West Hartford is preparing for any difficulties that could arise due to the new rules.

The West Hartford School System Monday night is hosting a forum for parents of future kindergartners to not only welcome them but to inform them about kindergarten.

The event will take place at West Hartford Town Hall's auditorium, 50 S. Main St., West Hartford, at 6:30 p.m.,with parents asked to RSVP to the school system.

Like all school districts in Connecticut, West Hartford is adjusting to new regulations regarding the age children can start.

Currently, children who turn 5 on Dec. 31 of a given year are eligible for kindergarten that year, meaning that kindergartners could be age 4 from September to their December birthday.

But recently passed legislation in Connecticut has pushed up that age requirement, meaning a child is only eligible for kindergarten if they turn 5 by Sept. 1 of a given year.

This is forcing some parents to find childcare for their youngsters for an extra year, as some children eligible for kindergarten this year would not be eligible for 2024-25.

Local school officials discussed a report on the kindergarten situation at their Dec. 19 West Hartford Board of Education meeting.

Essentially, the report states kindergartners who are age 5 on the first day of school do better than children who are a bit younger in kindergarten, with the goal being improved academics.

Parents who believe their children are ready for kindergarten can apply for early entry, but those children must demonstrate readiness to start early and there is a set procedure in place.

School board members appeared to support the changes, saying it helps the younger students academically.

"I'm very happy about this change and I'm also a proponent of universal pre-k and wish that they could go hand in hand," school board member Clare Neseralla said.

West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus told board members that students who turn 5 after Sept. 1, but start kindergarten younger, don't perform as well on reading tests, for example.

He specifically cited testing of third-graders, indicating that those who started kindergarten young do worse than those who didn't.

"That group of students scored 12 percent lower in mastery by third grade," Vicinus said.

But the school chief said academic performance isn't the only impact of these changes, citing the financial burdens many families now have in funding another year of child care.

"There's an impact. There's a very real and measured impact," Vicinus said.

He added that school officials are working individually with families to try and come up with solutions to these challenges.

For the full West Hartford School System report on the kindergarten age changes, click on this link.

To RSVP for Monday's event, click on this link.