When do Principals and Teachers Think Children Should Start School?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain the opinions of principals and teachers on school entry age and determine if principals and teachers believe younger children are disadvantaged academically and/or socially compared with their older peers. Subjects were all primary principals and teachers currently teaching in 41 schools situated within a 30km radius of a rural city in South Eastern Victoria. The schools comprise State, Catholic and one Christian school, ranging from a one-teacher rural school with six pupils to a school with 23 teachers and 470 pupils. Data was obtained by distribution of two self-administered questionnaires - one for principals and one for teachers. Thirty-two principals and 112 teachers returned questionnaires. A majority of both principals and teachers believe children should be at least five years of age when they begin school. Younger children have more problems academically and socially and they tend to remain behind their older peers. It is suggested that children be evaluated for school readiness before being allowed to begin