Memphis, Tenn. - Parents are advised to take notice of the new State of Tennessee birth date requirement for Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten enrollment for the 2013-14 academic year, and subsequent years. Following are the new guidelines.

For Children Entering Public Kindergarten Programs:

Children entering Kindergarten must be five (5) years of age on or before August 31, 2013 for the 2013-14 school year, and on or before August 15 for all school years thereafter. (The August 31 birth date requirement replaces the former September 30 birth date requirement.)

At the request of the parent or legal guardian, if the director of schools finds through evaluation and testing that a child who is five (5) years of age on or before September 30 is sufficiently mature both emotionally and academically, then the child may be permitted to enter Kindergarten.

For Children Entering Public Pre-Kindergarten Programs:

Children entering Pre-Kindergarten must be four (4) years of age on or before August 31, 2013 for the 2013-14 school year, and on or before August 15 for all school years thereafter. (The August 31 birth date requirement replaces the former September 30 birth date requirement.)

NOTE: Children who attended specific Pre-K programs in 2012-13 or who will attend specific Pre-K programs in 2013-14 may enter Kindergarten in 2013-14 or 2014-15.

Students enrolled in a Pre-K program operated by: a local education agency (LEA), Head Start program or a state accredited non-public school Pre-K program in 2012-13 who turn five (5) years of age after August 31, 2013, will be grandfathered into Kindergarten for the 2013-14 school year. State accredited non-public Pre-K classrooms are identified as Category 1, 2 or 3 programs (a definition of these categories is available at: http://tn.gov/education/nonpublic/categories.shtml).

To see a list of state accredited non-public Pre-K programs in Categories 1, 2 or 3, visit: http://www.scsk12.org/uf/contact/files/Shelby_2012-13_NonPublic_Schools.pdf.

For more information, parents should call (901) 473-2579.