Kindergarten entry age as a factor in academic failure

The study was undertaken to determine whether or not kindergarten entry age is a factor in academic failure. At the time of the study, chronological age was almost the sole criterion used as a basis for school admission. According to the findings of previous studies and expressed concerns of teachers, there was reason to suspect that younger entrants experienced disproportionally more academic failure than did their older classmates. Therefore, it seemed important that the relationship between age and academic failure be investigated.
It was apparent from the preponderance of evidence collected that younger entrants experienced disproportionally more academic failure than did their older entrants classmates. It appeared that younger entrants, as compared to older entrants, and younger boys as compared with younger girls, did not overcome their inferior academic position as they progressed through the elementary grades.