Retention refers to the practice of placing a student in the same grade level for an additional year. Delayed entrance to Kindergarten or 1st grade is a form of retention. In Kenilworth School District 38, retention is considered only in rare cases where there are unique and compelling circumstances. Our strong default is to place students in their age-appropriate grade level, as research and experience indicate that most students can be well supported through the high-quality instruction, differentiation, and intervention services available within that placement.

Delayed entrance to kindergarten or first grade is recommended only when the evaluation team determines that it is the only viable option to meet a student’s needs. This typically means that the instruction and supports available in the age-appropriate grade level would not be sufficient to ensure the student’s success.

When considering delayed entrance, parents/guardians should keep in mind:

• There is limited predictive information about how a child will perform in a formal school setting before they begin.
• The district offers robust intervention and enrichment programming designed to meet a wide range of learning needs.
• Research indicates that simply giving more time before beginning school does not resolve underlying concerns; it may only delay the implementation of necessary intervention.

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Pre-Requisites 

Pre-Requisites for Delayed Entrance into Kindergarten

• Turns 5 between June 1 and September 1 of the school year in which delayed entrance is being considered 
• Student resides within Kenilworth School District 38 boundaries
• Completion of the D38 Delayed Entrance Referral Form, including a current teacher recommendation for delayed entrance 

Pre-Requisites for Delayed Entrance into First Grade

• Turns 6 between May 1 and September 1of the school year in which early entrance is being considered 
• Student resides within Kenilworth School District 38 boundaries
• Completion of the D38 Delayed Entrance Referral Form, including a current teacher recommendation for delayed entrance 

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  Referral Process

The first step for consideration of delayed entrance into Kindergarten or 1st Grade is for the Parent / Guardian, or other qualified individuals, to complete a D38 Delayed Entrance Referral Form by April 1 of the school year prior to the school year for which delayed entrance is sought. Referrals for delayed entrance will not be considered prior to April 1. 

The Delayed Entrance Referral Form has five sections:

1. Identifying Information
2. Previous School Experiences - Please be prepared to describe your child's previous school experiences and to upload any available previous preschool records 
3. Teacher Recommendation - Asks for a recommendation form to be completed by a current teacher
4. Parent Questionnaire - Asks questions about your child's development in seven broad developmental categories
5. Consent - Asks for your permission to contact your child's preschool teacher and to collect additional data as needed.

Once you have completed the Delayed Entrance Referral Form, please contact the front office to make an appointment to provide Proof of Residency if not currently enrolled at The Joseph Sears School. 847-256-5006.

Within 30 school days after receiving a referral and a confirmed proof of residency, the Student Evaluation Team determines whether an evaluation for accelerated placement is warranted. The Director of Student Services gives the parent/guardian written notice of the referral outcome. For cases not warranting an evaluation, the process ends here. For cases warranting an evaluation, the evaluation proceeds with the steps below.

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Evaluation Process

The Student Evaluation Team conducts the assessment, which may include a review of records, parent and teacher input, testing in the areas of early literacy, numeracy, fine motor skills, and social-emotional readiness, and possible observations of the student in their current school setting. The student evaluation team includes the Director of Student Services, Building Administrator, Age Appropriate Teacher representative(s), School Psychologist, Social Worker, and other team members as deemed necessary (e.g., English Learner teacher). Time for the student to participate in testing is scheduled at a mutually agreed-upon time. One or two testing sessions may be scheduled. The district will also complete a language screener to determine English proficiency for students who speak a second language or have a second language spoken in the home. The results of this assessment may alter the assessment steps described below.

The Student Evaluation team will review all data collected and information provided to decide eligibility for delayed entrance into kindergarten or first grade. Representatives from the Student Evaluation Team will meet with the parent/guardian of the student to review the assessment results and communicate the decision. Written notice of the eligibility determination will be provided. 

If the Student Evaluation Team recommends not allowing the student to delay entrance into kindergarten or first grade, the parent(s)/guardian(s) may appeal the decision within 10 calendar days after receiving the determination by submitting a written request to the Superintendent. Within 30 calendar days of receiving the written appeal request, the Superintendent will review the case and provide the parent(s)/guardian(s) with written notice of their decision. The Superintendent’s decision is final.