The impact of the alteration in primary school starting age in the academic year of 2012/2013 on educational system

With the amendment of the Basic Law of National Education, the new education system,known as 4+4+4 by the public, was introduced into the education system. With this system, starting age to first grade of primary school was reduced to 72 months to 60 months. It is aimed that comparing the impacts of the students aged between 60-66 months and over 66 months enrolled in a school in Avcılar district of İstanbul province in the 2012-2013 academic year on education according to the teachers'views. In this study, it is important that the students between 60-66 months and over 66 months to what extent they reach the target objectives of the Ministry of Education and identify the problems faced by teachers in the child's educational process by determining which month is the critical period for starting school. Thereby it is vital role for increasing the effectiveness of the education and for training of individuals to ensure continued lifelong learning. Question list on the interview form is created with Prof. Dr Uğur TEKİN . An interview with a male and a female teacher was made. As a result of these interviews, adjustments were made to the list of q The study group of the research is formed by first grade teachers working in schools in Avcılar district of İstanbul province and the teachers who teach first-class in the academic year of 2012/13 and in the academic year of 2013/2014. A total of 113 teachers were interviewed in these schools. At the result of the research it was concluded that 60-66 months couldn't reach the objectives at the end of the academic year, but 66 months and older students were much higher to reach the levels of targeted objectives. According to the survey results and teachers' views , the important thing is that the starting age of school in different countries should be taken the criteria, children's psychological and physical development should be taken into consideration, the critical period and the readiness for starting school should be taken into consideration rather than starting school age. From the training staff, academics and especially from the classroom teachers should be taken opinions. So a definite limit should be set for the readiness,not the age of starting school.We understand from the definite limit that each child's cognitive development and physical development is different. This limit should not be a huge age range that will create gaps among children in terms of learning areas.Homogeneous classes shoud be ensured and the students over 66 months in which age range everyone can access to the required target outcomes should start the school. School starting age should not be changed according to the parent's wishes or thoughts . Keywords: School Starting Age, First Grade, School Readiness.