In March 2023, the Alabama State Board of Education made a significant update to the Alabama Administrative Code, focusing on ensuring that students entering first grade are adequately prepared. The update requires local school boards to ensure that students are either promoted to first grade after successfully completing kindergarten or demonstrate readiness for first grade based on an assessment of essential developmental and physical skills.

1. First Grade Readiness:

   • A student must complete kindergarten with the necessary skills to move on to first grade. This includes both academic and developmental milestones.
   • If a student is not deemed ready based on the successful completion of kindergarten, they must demonstrate first grade entry readiness through an assessment that evaluates essential academic, developmental and physical skills.
   • Families will be regularly informed about their child’s progress through report cards at the end of each quarter.
   • If a child is struggling to meet the necessary requirements, the school will provide additional instructional support and interventions.

Chilton County is dedicated to ensuring that all students are given a strong foundation in their early years of education. 

Our goal is to make sure that by the time students enter first grade, they have the academic, physical, and social-emotional skills necessary to thrive and succeed in a more formal learning environment.