[Bluegrasscard]

One problem is that Kentucky will allow students to start a full year prior to most states. That creates a wider spread in ages.

Most states require you to be 6 years old when entering 1st grade. Thus, with normal progression you will be 18 when you graduate. In Kentucky, 158.030 allows for children who are 5 as of October 1 to start 1st grade. Thus they would be only 17 when they graduate.

Good link for comparison of states.

http://mb2.ecs.org/reports/Report.aspx?id=32

Note that the chart shows Kentucky with a "5 by October 1st" and that is similar to other states. But 158.030 allows for starting in 1st grade at age 5.

Compare to Missouri:

http://dese.mo.gov/schoollaw/freqaskques...garten.htm

A child is eligible for admission to first grade if the child reaches the age of six (6) before the first day of August of the school year beginning in that calendar year.

Maybe part of the answer to hold backs to compress the range of ages for entering school. Then there would not be a decision later.