Full day kindergarten classrooms benefit kids, families
Chicopee Register, Editorial, May 14, 2009

The Early Education for All Campaign in Massachusetts is pushing communities to institute full-day kindergarten in all schools.

We are proud that every public school in Chicopee has full-day kindergarten classes and has done so for more than 15 years.

But despite substantial progress, at least one quarter of the state’s youngest students lack access to full-day kindergarten programs or are required to pay tuition to attend school all day.

Surveys show that 81 percent of Massachusetts voters support full-day kindergarten for all children. Not only does it make things easier for working parents, “high quality early education can have a profound effect on children’s school readiness, social skills and academic development,” say Early Education for All Campaign Director Amy O’Leary.

Studies show students who attend full-day kindergarten score higher on reading, math and science tests and are less likely to repeat a grade.

But despite the studies, many communities haven’t done much about this due to a lack of money.

Only 152 districts offer universal, free, full-day kindergarten. Sixty nice districts charge tuition for full-day programs and 46 districts don’t give parents the option.

The world we live in today is far more technical than the world adults grew up in and today’s children need more knowledge and training than anyone would ever have imagined.

We believe full-day kindergarten is necessary in order for our nation to remain a world leader. Our students are our future and it’s critical that legislators find a way to get them the services and education they need.

There is nothing more important we can spend money on. America’s children should be able to get the help they need from the time they are born, which includes special education and meals or food vouchers for families who can’t make ends meet.

We urge all of our legislators to pay attention to what counts – the future of our country, which can be found in the minds and hearts of our smallest citizens.