CCSD reassures parents on grade placement policies amid online confusion

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Charleston County School District parents are questioning statewide requirements for their child’s grade placement.

Some posted on Facebook asking why the district is “changing their policy” for the upcoming school year regarding the age children can be in Pre-K through first grade.

But a representative with the district said that’s not the case and that these requirements aren't new.

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“It's been a state requirement for quite some time,” said Andy Pruitt, the Director of Communications with the school district.

A post from a parent on Facebook said CCSD is enforcing new policies that would “force all 6-year-olds into first grade. In the past, it was a decision between parents and the school.”

A profile with the name and photo of CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins responded writing: “CCSD not changed its policy/procedures/guidance on Kindergarten placement. We don’t have a policy that forces all six-year-olds into first grade.”

Pruitt adds that if parents still have concerns about their child’s placement, it starts at the school level.

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“What we want to stress is that this is something that happens at the school level,” he said. “If there are still those additional concerns, then the school will bring that to the district and we'll follow a proper process that's consistent across the district."

When asked how many requests the district has received relating to placement, Pruitt said the district has received very few and that this conversation tends to happen at the school level.

And of those requests, Pruitt said it was too early to tell how many have gotten approved or denied.