Full-day kindergarten passes a test

Utah senators granted preliminary approval to the extended-day kindergarten initiative that would give students in low-income schools across the state the option to participate in a full-day program.

The measure, supported by the governor's office and the State Board of Education, calls for $7.5 million to fund the program and would affect an estimated 10,000 students.

Education leaders say it would be a step toward closing achievement gaps between whites and minorities, and low-income students.

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said in the long run the program could save the state money in special education, resource and remediation costs since educators will be able to ensure children are prepared for school at the outset.

Supporters have said offering the program to Title I schools across the board could help level the playing field for those at-risk students who start school with a deficit.

"All of the data we have seen support the fact that when parents choose to put kids in full-day kindergarten they do excel," said Pat Jones, D-Holladay. "We have talked a lot about the achievement gap and getting to these kids early — this is a proven way for us to close that gap."

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said research shows extended-day programs have had a positive effect on both short-term and long-term student achievement.

Students score higher on basic skills tests, are less likely to need expensive special education classes and are more likely to complete high school and attend a four-year college.

"We owe it to the children of the state to provide that option," she said.

But some lawmakers feel that the job of properly preparing students for school should fall to the parents and are also concerned that it could be a step toward mandatory full-day kindergarten

Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, pointed out that France started a similar program years ago and now their children are going to school at 3 years of age.

"What I think we are creating is a cultural mind-set that it's OK for children to be leaving the home earlier," Dayton said. "People can think that they don't have to worry about preparing their children because government schools will do it."

Fifteen Utah school districts, including Weber, Ogden, Salt Lake City and Box Elder, offered full-day kindergarten programs last year, mostly by stretching federal Title I dollars for low-income schools. Programs are available to about half of the nation's schoolchildren.

Last session a similar measure was approved but died when lawmakers failed to appropriate funding.

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