Certainly agree about standardising the cutoff date across the States.

I do get concerned about the judgments made based on choice, either sending early, or holding back. So a part of me really wishes there was no choice, to take the judgement away. I had no choice with DD1 and found the whole process much smoother and felt more confident. I have had choice with DD2, I chose the later year, as she was 3 days from cutoff, so if she was born 3 days later I would not have needed to make that choice. I am confident with that choice, but I am ready to tear a new a-hole in the next person who refers to me "holding her back" as there is no way in the world she is being held back. A child and a parent does need others looking down on them at such an important time with others "tutting" about "oh he/she is a bit old/young" to be starting school.

Trillian - like you have mentioned the huge age difference can be a concern. I had not really thought about puberty, but more about the end of high school. Would I really want a 14yo DD in classes with 16yo boys? No not really (yes I know mingling happens across the grades, but they tend to hang the most with those they go to class with)