File #: Res 1981-2009    Version: * Name: Department of Education to bring its birthday cutoff date for admissions to kindergarten more in line with that of private schools.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 5/20/2009
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Department of Education to bring its birthday cutoff date for admissions to kindergarten more in line with that of private schools.
Sponsors: Jessica S. Lappin, Gale A. Brewer, Letitia James
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Jessica S. Lappin City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/20/2009*Jessica S. Lappin City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/20/2009*Jessica S. Lappin City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1981

 

Resolution calling upon the Department of Education to bring its birthday cutoff date for admissions to kindergarten more in line with that of private schools.

 

By Council Members Lappin, Brewer and James

 

                     Whereas, According to New York State Education Law the compulsory ages for school attendance include children between six and sixteen years of age; and

                     Whereas, State Education Law section 3205 further states that “a minor who becomes six years of age on or before the first of December in any school year shall be required to attend upon full time instruction from the first day that the appropriate public schools are in session in September of such school year;” and

Whereas, Attendance in kindergarten is not mandatory in New York State or the City; and

Whereas, There is no state-mandated birthday cutoff date for admissions to kindergarten; and

Whereas, The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has the discretion to establish a birthday cutoff date for admissions to kindergarten; and

Whereas, Parents of kindergarten-aged children generally apply for admission to attend kindergarten in either public or private school; and

Whereas, The fact that public and private schools have different birthday cutoff dates for kindergarten makes it more difficult for parents of kindergarten-aged children to navigate through the admissions process; and

                     Whereas, DOE uses a birthday cutoff date of December 31, while many private schools use a birthday cutoff date of September 1; and

                     Whereas, Using a consistent birthday cutoff date of September 1 for both public and private school kindergarten admissions would simplify the application process for parents of kindergarten-aged children; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Department of Education to bring its birthday cutoff date for admissions to kindergarten more in line with that of private schools.

 

LS#6884

JA

4/30/09

2:30pm