LPS offers kindergarten assessment

The assessment will help ease the transition into school due to a change in state law governing when children can begin kindergarten. 

Lincoln Public Schools will offer a free kindergarten assessment this spring targeted at children born between August 1 and Oct.15 – helping ease the transition necessary due to a change in state law governing when children begin kindergarten in Nebraska public schools.

Starting in the 2012-13 school year, students may enter kindergarten if they turn five years of age on or before July 31, a date that was previously Oct. 15 . Due to the change, LPS is offering Lincoln children who were born between the dates of August 1 and Oct. 15 the opportunity to participate in a free assessment to determine kindergarten readiness for possible early entrance.

The 45-minute assessment will appraise general readiness for kindergarten by looking at a child's pre-academic, social and emotional, and physical development.

Families can obtain a fact sheet and application form from their neighborhood school. They can also find an application form on the LPS website's Parent Center: http://www.lps.org/parents/ – under the section labeled Kindergarten Assessment.

COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Is my child eligible?
• Your child must turn 5 years of age between August 1 and October 15 (a certified birth certificate will be required). Children who are good candidates for this process are those who demonstrate academic achievement as well as social, emotional and physical maturity appropriate for kindergarten placement.
How do I have my child participate?
• You can obtain a fact sheet and application form from your neighborhood school. You can also find an application form on the LPS website's Parent Center: http://www.lps.org/parents/ – under the section labeled Kindergarten Assessment. You need to fill out the application form and register with your neighborhood school at least one week prior to the beginning of each round of testing.
• Application and certified birth certificate will be due at the time of the registration. The birth certificate will be copied and returned
• There is no charge for the assessment.

When, where and how will my child be assessed?
• Your child will be assessed on pre-academic skills/cognitive skills and social/emotional development.
• Trained teachers will conduct the 45-minute assessment.
• When you register your child at your neighborhood school, you will also schedule the time and date of your child's assessment.
• The assessment will take place at the LPS Student Service Building (Hawthorne) at 300 S. 48 th St. (Please use the northwest entrance.)
• Assessments for early kindergarten entrance will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:
· March 12-16
· Saturdays in April: April 14, 21 and 28
· July 9-13