This chapter is adopted pursuant to authority vested in the office of superintendent of public instruction by RCW 28A.225.160 which authorizes the office of superintendent of public instruction to establish uniform entry qualifications.

Except as provided in WAC 392-335-025, a child must be five years of age as of midnight August 31 of the year of entry to be entitled to enter kindergarten.

Except as provided in WAC 392-335-020 and 392-335-025, a child must be six years of age as of midnight August 31 of the year of entry to be entitled to enter first grade.

Any child not otherwise eligible for entry to first grade who successfully has completed a kindergarten program in a public or private school shall be permitted entry to the school program: Provided, That the kindergarten program standards substantially equaled or exceeded the applicable basic education program requirements of RCW 28A.150.220 and WAC 180-16-200 through 180-16-220, each as now or hereafter amended: Provided further, That if the district of entry has reason to believe that an individual child so qualified may not succeed in the district's first grade program, the district shall have the option of placing the child in either kindergarten or the first grade for evaluation in the areas specified in WAC 392-335-025 and a final determination of the child's appropriate grade level placement no later than the thirtieth calendar day following the child's first day of attendance.

School districts may adopt regulations that provide for individual exceptions to the uniform entry qualifications established by this chapter. Such regulations shall provide for a screening process and/or instrument(s) which measure the ability or the need, or both, of an individual student to succeed in earlier entry.