Board probes 'school age' definition and early-entrance rules after AK Reads Act changes
Summary
During Article 5 review, the board questioned why the district's admissions draft uses a 'school age' of 6–20 and how early entrance exceptions for 4- and 5-year-olds will be handled; administration said 'school age' and 'compulsory education' are separate statutory definitions and that 5-year-old kindergarten remains a district decision.
At the Dec. 15 work session, administration described the revised admissions policy (BP 5.1.1) and said changes reflect statutory language updates tied to the AK Reads Act. "There were some statute language changes because of the AK Reads Act that added some language about 4 year olds," staff said.
Board member Mister Doyle asked why the draft uses a 'school age' range beginning at 6 instead of 5 or 7 and cited his understanding that compulsory education starts at 7. Administration responded that two different statutes apply: the definition of "school age" (6–20) establishes the ages the district may enroll for K–12, while compulsory education statute covers required attendance (7–16). "So school age is the 6 to the 20... And then compulsory education is 7 through 16," administration said. Staff explained that a 5-year-old enrollment is treated as early entrance in district practice and that specific grade-placement criteria will be captured in administrative regulation.
Board members asked follow-up questions about what qualifies as a pre-K program for admission exceptions and whether testing or evaluations for early entrance are feasible; administration expressed concern about capacity to test large numbers of 4-year-olds and said grade-placement details will be included in ARs.
Next steps: administration will incorporate clarifying language in policy and attach administrative regulations that define grade placement, early-entrance procedures and how pre-K completion is recognized.
