Conclusions

Recent research supports the effectiveness of full-day kindergarten programs that are developmentally appropriate, indicating that they have academic and behavioral benefits for young children. In full-day programs, less hectic instruction geared to student needs and appropriate assessment of student progress contribute to the effectiveness of the program. While these can also be characteristics of high-quality half-day programs, many children seem to benefit, academically and behaviorally, from all-day kindergarten. Of course, the length of the school day is only one dimension of the kindergarten experience. Other important issues include the nature of the kindergarten curriculum and the quality of teaching. 

Over the last few years, academic pressure in kindergarten programs has increased.

Kindergarten has dramatically changed.  In the mid-'90s, if the students left kindergarten knowing their letters and sounds, they were proficient. Now they are expected to read. If students were ready they were taught to read,  however, if they weren't ready to do it, it was OK. Now that's not the case. They have to do it.

We strongly feel that not only should kindergarten be full day but it should be mandatory and not optional.  We also believe there should be free educational four year old programs available to all children.

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