EARLY KINDERGARTEN ENTRY EVALUATIONS

In N.C., children must be five years old by August 31st in order to begin Kindergarten that academic year. However, children who turn four years old by the preceding April 16th may be eligible for early Kindergarten entry, provided they are deemed gifted and have the maturity to be successful in school.  Please note that the State of North Carolina requires that children score in the 98th percentile for cognitive functioning and in the 98th percentile for reading or math achievement to be considered for acceptance.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Step 1—Assessment:

There are two primary tests that must be administered as part of this testing process – a measure of cognitive functioning and a measure of academic achievement skills.  We feel it is important that your child has a positive experience with accurate results, so we strive to create a relaxing, fun atmosphere for children, allowing breaks for fun activities to put your child at ease.

 Parents will also complete behavior rating scales used to assess overall functioning.  Since best practice in assessment involves gather information about a client's functioning across settings, we will also attempt to obtain a preschool teacher report when applicable. 

Step 2—Clinical Interview/ Information Gathering:

A clinical interview will be completed to gather information regarding the child’s developmental, health, and preschool history.  A specific focus will also be placed on discussing the child’s academic readiness skills and reviewing relevant records, such as preschool daily report notes and work samples. We may also speak directly with school staff and/or observe the child in his/her classroom.

 Step 3 –Report/Feedback Session:

After the testing has been completed, we will meet with you to review the results of your child’s testing. We will describe the tasks completed and your child’s individual performance and provide recommendations for an academic plan.   Parents will be encouraged to ask questions and voice concerns to ensure a full understanding of the findings.  We will also provide a detailed, comprehensive written report that summarizes all of this information.