Half-day kindergartens to cost districts

1. Half-day kindergartens to cost districts Jennifer Mrozowski / The Detroit News http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080908/SCHOOLS/809080374/1026

2. State Funding Changes • WESTLAND -- Hundreds of school districts across the state are wrestling with options for kindergarten following a recent change in the way the state funds those programs. • The state aid act passed in August requires districts to be paid according to the length of time children are in class. While full-day kindergarten programs will see no change, half-day programs will receive only partial funding. Under the old formula, districts received full per-pupil allocation regardless of whether students attended school for a half-day or a full day. Facing the prospect of losing millions of dollars for half-day programs, many districts say they are being forced to choose between offering only full-day programs -- at greater expense -- or cutting other programs to keep half-day kindergarten. • "It's another unfunded mandate," said Wayne-Westland Superintendent Greg Baracy. "It's hard to predict what we'll do, but some programs will be eliminated if we go full day across the board."

3. Why? • Some say the change will better prepare Michigan's youngest students for elementary school, but affected districts such as Wayne-Westland, Troy and Plymouth-Canton say the law will put an additional financial burden on them at a time of dwindling state resources. • Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, said the state can't afford to give school districts full funding when they aren't operating full-time. • "We want to make sure young children are getting absolutely the best opportunity for learning, and we also want to make certain that if we are providing funding for their education that the education is being offered," Boyd said. • The law alters the funding formula in phases through 2012, giving districts time to adjust, she said. • In half-day kindergarten, students attend class for half the school day or on alternating days. In full-day programs, they generally attend for the same number of hours as elementary students, five days a week

4. Parents have mixed feelings Parents are divided on whether their children will benefit if districts choose to make all programs full-day, and some say research clouds the debate. Studies have shown that students who attend full-day kindergarten, particularly in urban districts, are less likely to repeat a grade later and have higher literacy rates than peers in half-day programs. But some parents, especially those who can afford to stay home with their children, argue they can provide as good an education to their children and avoid burning them out with structured programs. They cite studies showing the benefits of all-day kindergarten are erased by second or third grade. Other parents worry the legislation is a back-door way of mandating all-day kindergarten. Jennifer Burke, a Troy parent, fears all-day classes may force too much structured schooling on children who aren't developmentally ready. "From a parent's perspective, that is an awful lot to expect from a 4-year-old or 5-year-old," she said. "I feel this is taking the choice away from the parent. We're their first teachers and educators, and we know them best."

5. The Economics Other things State Payment • We see the state payment in red. • If state requires FULL K, then number of Full Days must double. • If the district decides to go to FULL K, Other things must fall. • If the district stays at ½ K, payment will fall. K (½) K (1) Full Days of Kindergarten