Question

For people who have Kindergarteners right now. Do u know if it is mandatory for them to "attend kindergarten" this year? Our teacher mentioned something about it not being mandatory for this current school year a couple months ago and it would change how strict i am about distance learning and getting worksheets in to be graded if IL doesnt require it ;) i looked online and it seems that next year it is required but not this year. He turned 6 in January 2020. Thanks!  

Answer 1

Kindergarten is not a requirement in illinois and neither is remote learning. You can completely opt out of it all and your child will not be penalized. Grades will not be taken during this time and no one can fail. These are directives from the state of Illinois. Now, is it good to stay on top of the work so your child doesn't fall behind, yes, 100%. Do what you can. Focus on reading an number sense. Make it practical and have fun with it.  

Comments

@end1099 and that is true for public and private correct?  

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@iso525 private doesn't have to follow the same rules because they don't necessarily take state and federal funding. Private schools kind of live by their own rules.  

Answer 2

K is currently not a requirement in IL.  

Comments

& it hasn't been.  

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But changes next year right? It said '20-21 ot will be mandatory. But it also said something about 6 year olds

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@iso525 - that would have to be passed via the Senate. Not sure on the status of that.  

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@iso525 - the last sentence: The bill is currently in the Illinois House Rules Committee.  

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Hasn't passed all the way through yet.  

Answer 3

Kindergarten is not mandatory. But most of his peers are doing formal schooling (or at least they were). So I would just make it fun, but I would not stop all together. Just a suggestion. If the teacher gives to much work your child doesn't have to do it all.  

Comments

@schlueter32990 his school is a grade ahead of what we will be in next year at his new school which makes me want to take a break even more.  

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@iso525 that is fine too. Whatever works for you. Kids will catch up at that age. I would not stress about it. I am sure whatever you do every day has learning included that you might not even realize.  

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@schlueter32990 im just making sure im not breaking a law since it changes next year

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@iso525 no you are good.  

Answer 4

Yeah they changed it. Now they’re required to do certain math and reading lessons. Our teacher gives us a lesson plan for the day but it’s all still confusing. Just found out she was supposed to also be doing assignments on some other website. I would email your teacher and specifically ask what is required and what’s just additional

Answer 5

It’s not a requirement. I have a kiddo who is autistic and we could have kept her home to do ABA until 1st grade.  

Answer 6

If he turned 6 in January, he is required to be enrolled in school in the fall and he would be in 1st grade. Currently, kindergarten is not mandatory but by the time a child is 6 they must enroll.  

Comments

I also just reread your post and it looks like your more concerned about elearning. sorry. The state guidelines recommend no new learning K-2 during remote learning and that all activities assigned are developmentally appropriate (being read to, reading, “writing” letters, playing pretend, playing with blocks, building ramps etc. ). Any teacher assigned work should be kept to under an hour a day and should consider that a kindergarteners focus lasts for approximately 5 minutes at a time, so they should be multiple short activities rather than an hour straight of learning. The ISBE recommendations can be found on their website if your curious as to the kinds of things you can do at home to enrich.  

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@rao2 so he is currently enrolled in a private school. I think there is too much work in general throughout the year and now thst we are at home i just wanna make sure that by not turning in worksheets etc his teacher can't report us etc. I wanna make sure it isn't a legal requirement. he is ahead academically so i am not worroed about being ready for our new school next year. i just want to make sure we cant be reported or held back or whatever?  

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@iso525 yeah he definitely can’t be reported and I would for sure keep worksheets for a minimal. When you look at the impact of worksheets on primary student learning, it is neutral. Meaning they don’t hurt, but they also don’t help. Primary students learn best with tactile hands on learning, which is why elearning is nearly impossible for this age.  

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@rao2 totally agree. My mom and sister are teachers and all the research points to play based hands on learning.  

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@rao2 where do you see that if they are 6 they go into 1st? My kiddo is a Sept bday, so he is 6 & in K. We have a friend that is turning 6 & planning on entering K next year.  

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There were articles (posted on this post) that said something passed for the 2020-2021 year. That's why i was confused

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@gravestone it depends on when they turn 6. In this example, the child’s birthday was January, so they would definitely be 1st. My son is an August Birthday and will turn 6 right before beginning Kindergarten. I can’t remember the exact cut off date for being placed directly into 1. I’m not sure if it’s the Sept 1 compulsory age because Kindergarten isn’t mandatory or if it’s Dec 31 to allow parental choice. I’ve had 3 students placed into my 1st grade room for their first schooling experience based on when they turned 6.  

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@rao2 interesting. So my daughter is turning 5 late August. So technically i could keep her in preK4 again?  

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@iso525 oh yeah. Our kids are the same age. I’ve known since my oldest was born he’ll start K at 6. There’s sooo much research to support that it’s all around better for kids. My son is already reading and counting and has mastered numerous K standards, but with all I know about education I’m still keeping him in prek another year.  

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@rao2 Thank you so much for this. My mom and sister are teachers and they have been saying the same thing. Do you have a background in Ed too?  

Answer 7

What school district are you in that your kindergartener is required to turn in worksheets during remote learning? My kindergartener is not required to turn anything in and his assignments are pretty fun.  

Comments

@borowski it's a private school. We are going public next year with both 6 and 5 year olds. Wanted to keep them together this year and my other is in Pk4

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@iso525 got it!  

Answer 8

It’s best to keep your child engaged in the work - it will just make it even harder next year when they are back - you would be amazed how much they forget over summer break let alone a longer one.  

Comments

@loathing i am.  

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@iso525 really work on reading it is so big - and high frequency words

Answer 9

K will be mandatory starting 2020/2021 school yr

Comments

@salpinx that has not passed.  

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Senate bill 2075 passed