Full Day Kindergarten
June 8th, 2015
Fred R. Heid, Superintendent
Current Practice
• The District currently does not provide tuition
free full-day kindergarten to all students
• The number of full-day programs are limited and
resulted in students attending outside of their
traditional feeder pattern and additional fees
• Expansion of full-day programs was limited by the
lack of available classroom space within each
building and fiscal limitations
Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
• Research supports the
numerous benefits of
Full-Day Kindergarten
including:
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Academic benefits
Social benefits
Emotional benefits
Achievement Gap
benefits
Academic Benefits of Full-Day
Kindergarten
Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten
• Children who attend full-day kindergarten learn more in reading and math over the
kindergarten year than those in half-day programs.
• Children in full-day kindergarten programs receive 40-50% more instruction than children
enrolled in half-day kindergarten programs. More instructional time in full-day kindergarten
allows for increased learning activities and strategies such as: group read-aloud, peer
tutoring, mixed-ability grouping, and child-initiated activities.
• Children who attend full-day kindergarten spend 30% more time on reading and literacy
instruction and 46% more time on mathematics than children in half-day programs.
• Full-day kindergarteners exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement,
productivity in work with peers and reflectiveness than half-day kindergarteners.
• Full-day kindergarten allows for a more consistent schedule for children and reduces the ratio
of transition time to class time, reducing stress for children.
• Parents of children in full-day kindergarten report higher levels of satisfaction with their
children’s schedule and curriculum and the program’s support for working families.
Social Benefits of Full Day
Kindergarten
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•
•
•
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Full-day kindergarteners experience significantly more social, adult-initiated, and
child-initiated interactions (Westside Community Schools, Nebraska).
Full-day programming allows for more opportunities for all children to develop not
just academically, but socially and emotionally and take responsibility for their
actions (Harrison-McEachern, 1989).
School attendance of full-day kindergarten students is more regular than that of
half-day kindergarteners (fewer absences). 3rd graders who attended full-day
kindergarten were less likely to be absent from school compared to 3rd graders
who’d gone to half-day kindergarten (Missouri study; Philadelphia Schools).
Full-day programming allows children more time in the school setting to interact
socially with their peers and learn about each other.
Students will be exposed to more assemblies and other school functions.
Emotional Benefits of Full Day
Kindergarten
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Children in full-day kindergarten are more likely to approach the teacher and less likely to express
withdrawal, anger, shyness or blaming behavior than half-day kindergarteners (Cryan, Sheehan,
Wiechel, Bandy-Hedden, 1992).
Spending a full day in class may be less stressful for youngsters than trying to cram the demands of
today’s kindergarten programs into the traditional half-day schedule (Elicker and Mathur, 1997;
Schuylkill Valley (Pennsylvania) Newsletter, Sept/Oct 2004).
Full-day kindergarten allows a more consistent schedule for children (every day, all day), eliminates
adjusting to two daytime classrooms with different rules and philosophies, and reduces the ratio of
transition time to class time, reducing stress for children (Elicker and Mathur, 1997; Education
Commission of the States).
The majority of children entering kindergarten have had some kind of pre-school experience
(childcare, preschool, etc.) often for a full-day making full day kindergarten part of the progression
of children’s adjustment to school.
Riding the bus or being transported to school the same way as other elementary schoolers is
important to the child’s emotional stability.
When behavioral issues arise, they can be dealt with in greater detail, with more time spent on
problem solving with children so they learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully on their own.
Closing the Achievement Gaps
Full-Day Kindergarten Helps Close the Achievement Gap
• At-risk students who received full-day kindergarten through the Kindergarten
Initiative in Montgomery County, Maryland made significantly greater progress in
language proficiency than comparable children in half-day kindergarten.
• A study of 17,600 Philadelphia children found that full-day kindergarten helps
children from low-income families perform better and saves the school district
millions of dollars through significantly reduced grade retention in the first through
third grades.
• Research from Lowell Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the
average entering kindergartener was already 22 months below grade level,
showed that children in the school’s half-day kindergarten made an average gain
of 5.4 months during a 9 month period, while children in the full-day classes made
a 16 month gain.
• Studies of Minneapolis Public Schools showed that minority children in full-day
kindergarten gained literacy skills at a faster pace than peers in half-day classes.
Proposal
• Given the numerous benefits, that D300
transition to tuition free Full Day Kindergarten
(FDK) for all eligible students.
How Can The District Support This?
• The logistics have been addressed and we have both
adequate classroom space and funding to support a
transition to full-day kindergarten.
• Implementation will require a one time fiscal investment to
implement in 2015-16 (see table on next slide).
• Over subsequent years the program becomes cost neutral
as costs are leveraged against additional revenue stemming
from student fees, savings from the elimination of mid day
transportation, and increased General State Aid (GSA)
Financial Analysis
Full Day Kindergarten Analysis
FY16
FY17
FY18
FY19
FY20
Comment
$ 581,074.63
$ 592,696.12
$ 604,550.05
$ 616,641.05
$ 628,973.87
new teachers
Furniture/textbooks needs paid out of District-wide FF&E
budget
Specials
$ 116,214.93
$ 118,539.22
$ 120,910.01
$ 123,328.21
$ 125,794.77
Special teachers needed to cover additional sections
Total
$ 697,289.56
$ 711,235.35
$ 725,460.06
$ 739,969.26
$ 754,768.64
$ 240,000.00
$ 240,000.00
$ 240,000.00
$ 240,000.00
$ 240,000.00
Elimination of midday route
$ (72,000.00)
$ (72,000.00)
$ (72,000.00)
$ (72,000.00)
Reduction in state reimbursement
Costs
Teacher
Furniture
Savings/Revenue
Transportation
Trans Claim
Student Fees
$ 20,000.00
$ 20,000.00
$ 20,000.00
$ 20,000.00
$ 20,000.00
Fee goes from $90 to $120
Student Fees
$(718,000.00)
$(718,000.00)
$(718,000.00)
$(718,000.00)
$(718,000.00)
Loss of student fees paid full day kindergarten
Tuition
$ 479,872.80
$ 479,872.80
$ 479,872.80
$ 479,872.80
$ 479,872.80
$ 769,062.11
$ 769,062.11
$ 769,062.11
$ 769,062.11
GSA
Total
$ 21,872.80
$ 718,934.91
$ 718,934.91
$ 718,934.91
$ 718,934.91
Costs-(Savings)
$ 675,416.76
$ (7,699.56)
$
$ 21,034.35
$ 35,833.73
6,525.14
Capture general state aid for full day
What Will Full-Day Kindergarten Look
Like?
• Full-Day Kindergarten programs work to promote
a balanced approach to the cognitive (academic)
and psycho/social development of each student.
• Full-Day Kindergarten will mirror other grade
levels to include music, media, and physical
education. In addition, students will have lunch
and recess.
How Will This Affect Current Part-Time
Programs?
• The District will work with families to address lingering concerns.
The significant benefits of full-day programs are well documented
and we have shared several research articles for parents who may
have concerns with their child's participation in FDK.
• All students will be converted to full time enrollment. Parents who
are interested in part time enrollment only will need to contact
their school to request a change.
• The District will continue to support parents interested in PartTime Kindergarten (PTK) programs. However:
– Parents interested in PTK will be allowed to enroll their child in their
zoned school and will be scheduled for a class that will have all core
academic instruction in the AM.
– The district will provide transportation to school but will no longer
provide mid-day transportation for part-time attendance
How Will This Affect Students Who
Have Approved Kindergarten
Transfers?
• Transfers that were based upon limited space or other
issues will receive communication that will redirect
them to their home school. This will be addressed on a
case by case basis and depends upon the reason for
the transfer.
• This will not affect transfers for Dual Language unless a
family opts to withdraw their application. Available
seats will then be assigned to those of the waiting list.
How Does This Affect Students With
Special Needs?
• Parents can expect no change to their child's
placement or program needs. In fact, arguably
this change will allow students to be better
served within their home school setting.
Are Full-Day School Times The Same
As The Regular Elementary Grades?
• Yes, the full-day kindergarten starting and
ending times will mirror the regular
elementary schedule.
Will Full-Day Kindergarten Students
Ride The Bus?
• Yes, eligible Full-Day Kindergarten students will be have
transportation provided. Information regarding
transportation can be found on our District website at
http://www.d300.org/node/271 .
• Transportation routing information is mailed home
approximately one week prior to the start of school.
• For additional questions or concerns please contact Mrs.
Donna Bordsen, Director for Transportation at 847-5518492.
Is Full-Day Kindergarten About Pushing
1st Grade Content?
• The D300 FDK program will focus on developing the “whole
child.”
• This includes the cognitive and psycho/social needs of each
child.
• The FDK program does have its own curriculum and
objectives.
• The program will focus on age and developmentally
appreciate curriculum and instructional practices. However,
all grade levels focus on mastery, which arguably ensures
that each student is prepared to transition to a subsequent
grade.
Is There A Cost?
• Students will be charged the same $130.00
fee as those in grades 1-5.
• Schools will follow up with any families who
paid the adjusted $100.00 fee during
registration.
• There will be no monthly tuition fee
What Do I need To Do Now?
• New Registration:
– Contact your child's zoned school and begin the registration process. During this
time the school will provide you with all of the information you need regarding
physical examinations, required documents, and medical.
– During the registration process, you will have an opportunity to indicate your
preference for Full-Day Kindergarten or Part-Time Kindergarten.
– Your child's school will provide you with information relating to class assignment,
supplies, and important meet and greet dates later this summer.
• Students Who Have Already Been Registered:
– All students will be converted to full time enrollment. Parents who are interested in
part time enrollment only will need to contact their school to request a change.
– Your child's school will provide you with information relating to class assignment,
supplies, and important meet and greet dates later this summer
• Questions regarding Kindergarten should be directed to Ms. Kristin Corriveau,
Asst. Superintendent for Elementary Teaching and Learning. She can be
reached via email at kristin.corriveau@d300.org or by phone at 847-5518429.
Additional Resources
• Early Education For All
http://www.strategiesforchildren.org/eea/6research_summaries/07_FDK_
Factsheet.pdf
• National Education Association http://www.nea.org/home/11541.htm
• “Best Research Yet On The Benefits of Full Day Kindergarten”
http://www.edcentral.org/fullday-k-research/
• “Full Day Kindergarten Advantages and Disadvantages”
http://ec.dpi.wi.gov/ec_ecadflpg
• “Full Day Kindergarten Expanding Learning Opportunities”
http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/po-05-01.pdf
• “Benefits of Full Day Kindergarten” (Based on Ontario's transition to Full
Day) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXcoZEloNkE
• “Kindergarten Classes Go Full Day” (Teacher Perspective)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q3pYjrlMD0