Welcome to the Education Commission of the States' Kindergarten Database

Kindergarten

Why this issue matters:

• Kindergarten is often the first formal educational experience children receive. Quality, curriculum, teacher certification and other standards meaningfully influence students' experiences.
• The Common Core State Standards begin in Kindergarten. State policies differ in terms of mandating attendance as well as district provision of full- or half-day programs, but children will be held to the same standards across the nation.
• Alignment with Pre-K and grades 1-12 is essential to maintaining a high quality P-20 system.

Why our methodology matters:

• Primary resources: ECS draws its information primarily from state statute, rules and regulations, recently enacted legislation, executive orders and other primary source documents.
• For this database: ECS searched statutes, regulations and executive orders.

Related ECS products:

• Recent state policies/activities - P-3: Kindergarten
• ECS Kindergarten Issue Site
• Selected Research & Readings: Kindergarten
• ECS Early Learning & The Early Grades Issue Site

Staff contact:
Emily Workman, Associate Policy Analyst
303.299.3631
eworkman@ecs.org

	Select a state
	STATE KINDERGARTEN POLICIES 1. Compulsory School Age 2. Kindergarten Entrance Age 3. Age Exemptions / Waivers 4. Child Must Attend Kindergarten 5. District Must Offer Kindergarten 6. District Offering Exemptions / Notes 7. Minimum Required Days / Hours for Kindergarten 8. Kindergarten Readiness Assessments 9. Curriculum and Alignment 10. Kindergarten Standards 11. Teacher:Student Ratios