The state recently gave out $190 million to 338 school systems and charter schools to expand their kindergarten to full day. This is a much needed boost to Indiana education.
Studies have shown that comprehensive early education serves children well as they proceed through school. Simply put, students are better prepared for the future. In a Center for Evaluation and Education Policy report in 2005, children who attended full-day kindergarten had gains such as increased academic achievement, lower grade retention rates, improved attendance and improved social skills. The study concluded that the few studies available of full-day kindergarten indicate promising data on the duration of benefits experienced in the following years of elementary school.
It seems like common sense that full-day kindergarten would better prepare students. Another study noted that children would be exposed to more learning time in reading and math.
Full-time kindergarten also offers students more time to create. The classes wouldn’t be made up entirely of rote learning but doing the projects and playing the games that make learning fun. If students can relate to what they’re doing, they will learn quicker and it will stay with them.
Educators have always touted the benefits of full-day kindergarten, and the only reason it’s not standard education procedure is the cost. States who have found the money have no doubt seen increases in children’s cognitive ability in later years.
Since more and more education is now portrayed as an absolute necessity for future employment, it stands to reason that the earlier children learn how to comprehend the better.
Indiana’s new expenditure doubles the dollars for full-day kindergarten and guarantees $2,400 in state money for every child enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program. Schools were getting only about $1,200 per kindergarten student before the legislation passed. The extra dollars are in addition to money that local schools already receive through the state’s school-funding formula. Combined, it will provide about $5,000 per kindergarten student,
Some legislators are even pushing (again) for pre-kindergarten classes as (again) studies show that students exposed to academic and social settings early have a better chance to succeed.
This is a good start in reforming Indiana education that actually provides for students and gives them a leg up as they advance through the grades. Now the key is to expand the program so that all students are eligible for full-day kindergarten.
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