Where Excellence is a Tradition
Preparation for first grade.
Preparation for the future.
Community Presentation
January 30, 2014
 Our Teachers…..
…bring out the best in our kids.
Kindergarten Expectations
Are
Changing!
Then: ABC’s, circle time, play time, coloring
Now: reading, writing, math, enrichment
It is time to seriously consider
full-day kindergarten.
Variables have changed necessitating the need for the
district to seriously consider full-day kindergarten as a
viable option to help children succeed and meet the new
academic requirements.
The bar has been raised.
The bar has been raised!
Newly adopted state learning standards are in place to
ensure that students receive a relevant and rigorous
education. The state adopted these standards to better
prepare students for higher-level literacy and
mathematics skills demanded by colleges and the labor
force. There is a greater emphasis on earlier preparation.
 First grade reading expectations are higher.
 Students need to enter first grade with stronger
reading, writing and math foundations.
 Every student is expected to be reading on grade
level by third grade as demonstrated on a state
assessment.
 There is a significant change in curriculum
standards.
 The pace of instruction has increased substantially.
 Students are expected to be readers by the end of the
year, when before we were making them “reading ready”
for first grade.
 Math standards have increased to learning addition and
subtraction, applying concepts, and problem solving.
 With increased standards time is limited for teaching
students social skills, an essential component of
development and working with others.
The new challenges facing kindergarten
teachers are:
More rigorous curricular standards
Increased district expectations
Third Grade Reading Guarantee
Our students are being assessed by the state against
students who are attending full-day kindergarten.
Supporting Research
Substantial research supports that these
positive outcomes from full-day kindergarten
programs are attributed to the enhanced
learning and activities that are facilitated by
the longer day.
Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
 A developmentally appropriate full day program
benefits children socially, emotionally and
academically.
 Teachers report greater learning and progress
for full-day students in reading, math and
general skills.
 Children in full-day programs score higher on
achievement tests in later grades than those in
half-day programs.
Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
 A full-day program allows students to experience
more developmentally appropriate learning activities
that include purposeful play and creative
opportunities.
 A full-day program promotes greater independent
learning.
 Children in full-day programs make greater gains
with social, emotional and behavioral development
than those in half-day programs.
Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
A full-day program allows students to learn in a
more relaxed atmosphere without the stress of
significant time constraints.
 There is ample time for creative programs.
 A more relaxed atmosphere for students is more
conducive to learning and development.
 Less stress improves a child’s outlook on school
that in turn fosters a greater love for learning.
 Less stress is better for one’s overall physical
and mental health.
Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
Students in full-day kindergarten programs:
 have
better attendance
 enjoy more continuity of instruction
 are less likely to repeat a grade
 adjust better to first grade
 have less need for remedial services
The Gift of Time
A full-day program allows teachers to know their
students better and provides increased opportunities to
observe their learning. This deeper understanding
allows teachers to:




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better identify possible learning issues
implement intervention strategies
tailor instruction to meet individual learning needs
develop activities appropriate for their abilities
and needs
give students more individualized attention
The Gift of Time
Increased instructional time will give
kindergarten students:
 more opportunity for enrichment and extensions
of lessons
 more relaxed atmosphere with the absence of
being hurried
 more time for fine and gross motor skill practice
 more time for creative activities and hands-on
projects
The Gift of Time
Children in full-day programs have increased
positive child-teacher interactions than their halfday peers. This promotes stronger academic and
social growth. Increased instructional time will help
our kindergarten students meet the new challenges
of today’s education and changing expectations of
kindergarteners.
A possible typical day….
Minutes/Day
ACTIVITY
Full-day
Half-day
Guided Reading
90
60
Mathematics
45
20
Writing/Reading
45
***
Lunch/Recess
45
N/A
Related Arts
40
30
Calendar
30
20
Science/SS
30
***
Recess/Snack
20
20
Centers/1-on-1
20
***
Dismissal Prep.
10
10
Total
375
160
***Must be integrated into another area
Parent and Guardian Feedback
163 respondents of this year’s kindergarten and first
grade students SUPPORT a full-day program. The top
reasons are:
better preparation for first grade
 more teaching time
 improved schedule for working parents
 more one-on-one time with teacher

Parent and Guardian Feedback
45 respondents of this year’s kindergarten and first
grade students don’t support a full-day program. The
top reasons are:
day is too long
 childhood is shortened
 not mentally ready
 too young

Today’s Child
Kindergarten teachers say there is a change in the
type of student coming to school. The changes
include:




increase in behavioral issues
increase in number of students diagnosed with special
needs
students coming less prepared for the rigor of
kindergarten
fewer stay-at-home parents
What will it cost?
POSITION
Teacher
$45,000
Teacher
$45,000
Teacher
$45,000
Teacher
$45,000
Full Time Art
$22,500
Full Time PE
$30,000
½ Time Music
$22,500
Furniture
$35,833
Cafeteria Support
$13,607
Cafeteria Support
$13,607
Transportation***
***
Total(approximate)
$318,047
What will it cost?
Currently, each kindergarten student is counted as a half
enrollee, keeping the district on the budget “guarantee.”
With full-day kindergarten, our enrollment number will
increase taking Tipp City off of the “guarantee.” This
brings more state funding to the district.
Additional state funding supports the cost to implement
this initiative.
Full-Day Kindergarten
 “A full day would give us the chance to teach in a way
that the students learn best, using developmentally
appropriate activities and pacing. The pace of a full day
would allow us time to complete activities more in
depth, give more time for hands-on activities, give
students time to process the content, and give all of us
a chance to breathe.”

The Kindergarten Teachers
Questions???