In looking for ways to cut costs FWCS has ruled out only a reduction of the $4.5 million it's spending for full day kindergarten. How can they take that off the table without showing us the data that shows whether it's working?
Probably because they don't have that data. Full day kindergarten does have a benefit for kids when they enter first grade but by the time they reach third grade the effect disappears. We don't know how to sustain it. FWCS had full day kindergarten in Title I schools long before Wendy instituted it everywhere else. How did those kids do compared to the ones who only went half a day? Apparently they either don't know or they aren't saying.
Now that we have it, getting rid of it is a political issue. Parents like it because the kids are out of their hair all day instead of just half a day. More teachers have jobs and FWEA gets more dues. It sounds like it should work, but like the "racial balance" program there is no data to support an academic benefit. In fact African American kids in FWCS are doing no better than their counterparts in Gary, Indianapolis or any other public systems in the state which have not spent more than $100 million plus busing cost for such a "unique" program.
I suspect the same is true for full day kindergarten. Indianapolis teacher and columnist Andrea Neal of the Indiana Policy Institute debunked full day kindergarten when Mitch was trying to find money for it. FWCS' improvement efforts are supposedly data driven. If Ms. Neal is wrong, then lets see the data, guys. You have no credibility without it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I went to Kindergarten half days and I am graduating for my Bachelors w honors in May. Guess that worked out ok. That is TOO LONG for little 6 year olds to be in class. Parents want a babysitter, pay for it themselves. I am sick and tired of these parents thinking the rest of us should help pay to raise their kids! Can't afford them, DON'T HAVE THEM!!
Wodiej - The JG would call you unenlightened and unegalitarian. I didn't go to kindergarten (or first grade for that matter) because back in the old days and the old country that wasn't an option. My parents took their reponsibility for my education seriously.
A kindergarten teacher told me she favored full day kindergarten because most of her kids would be better off in school all day getting some stimulation instead of being home watching TV. Maybe so, but that's a sad commentary on the parents and the schools (and taxpayers)reenforce this behavior by assuming parental resposibility.
Post a Comment