SENATE ENDORSES STRONGER EARLY EDUCATION MEASURE

Measure increases access to full-day kindergarten

AUGUSTA–Today, in a 20-14 vote, the Senate voted to increase access to full-day kindergarten. The measure requires all school districts to provide full-day kindergarten beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.

“Investment in early childhood education is sound policy,” said Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “We must ensure Maine’s children have equal and full access to full day kindergarten. Unequal access leaves too many young children missing the opportunity to develop and strengthen skills necessary for lifelong learning.”

Maine is one of only five states that do not provide full-day kindergarten. Ten states and the District of Columbia require school districts to provide publicly funded full-day kindergarten through state statute, which guarantees annual funding.

According to the Children’s Defense Fund, full-day kindergarten boosts children’s cognitive learning, creative problem-solving, and social competence. Full-day kindergartners exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work with peers, and reflectiveness than half day kindergartners.

“This is the right roadmap for the future of our students. Early childhood education is a priority that crosses party lines outside this building and we should do the right thing to put our children on the pathway for success,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond. “Supporting early childhood education strengthens opportunities for our children, ensures a strong foundation for future learning, and reduces costs in the future.”

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.

In one national study, after the second year of a full-day kindergarten pilot, 100% of the full-day parents and 72% of the half-day parents indicated that, if given a choice, they would have selected the full-day program for their child.

The bill, LD 1143, “An Act To Provide Full-day Kindergarten Programs,” formerly “An Act To Develop Young Readers,” faces more votes in the House and the Senate.

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