KEEP WAIVERS FOR CT KINDERGARTNERS
Allow developmentally ready children, who have already started their educational journeys, to continue thriving in Kindergarten. Delay removing waivers until July 2029.
Defend the Waiver/Support the Kids
June 29, 2023
Public Act 23-208 Signed
Legislation passed changing the kindergarten start age to 5 before Sept 1st. Law allowed for waivers for academically and developmentally ready children.
Early 2024
Parents Start Children in 2s class
In early 2024, parents made decisions regarding if their children should start a 2s class. This decision was made with the knowledge of the waiver being available.
Early 2025
Children Continued to 3s
Waiver still available. Children continue their education into a 3s class and continue academically developing and building bonds with peers.
March 2026
Public Act 26-1 Signed Removing Waivers
Waivers removed starting July 2027. The children who built friendships and are prepared to start kindergarten no longer have options.
The Ask: Don't stifle the development of the children who started their educational journey's before the removal of waivers. Delay removing waivers until July 2029 enabling parents to make intentional decision regarding their children's future.
Sample Email
Subject: Delay Removing Waivers for CT Kindergartners
Do not block developmentally ready children who have already started their educational journeys from thriving in kindergarten.
Delay Public Act 26-1 from taking effect until July 2029.
Connecticut changed the kindergarten start age through Public Act 23-208 on June 29th, 2023, which amended Section 10-15c of the Connecticut General Statutes. Waivers were included in the legislation to provide flexibility and accommodate children who were born after the September 1st cutoff but were still academically and developmentally ready to start school. Parents made decisions about their children's education in 2024, based on those waivers. Parents had to decide in 2024 whether to start their kids in a 2s program, with the intent to ready the child for a successful academic journey, as well as build early bonds with peers whom the child would enter Kindergarten with.
Such children attended a 2s and 3s program before Public Act 26-1 was signed in 2026 phasing out the option of a waiver.
Now, developmentally ready children will see their peers start kindergarten, while being left behind, thus stifling the development of the child. Furthermore - options were NOT provided to parents. Parents made decisions with the waiver availability in mind.
The ask: Delay the removal of waivers in Public Act 26-1 to July 2029 enabling parents to make intentional decision regarding their child's future.
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