Monitoring Full-Day Kindergarten

07/16/2003

Monitoring Full-Day Kindergarten

"The brave don't live forever, but the cautious don't live at all." - Timothy Luce

MONITORING FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN

Full-day kindergarten is increasing in popularity throughout the United States. U.S. Census Bureau figures show that student enrollment in full-day kindergarten has increased from 25% of age-eligible children in 1979 to 60% in 2000. And, in the last three years, more than 20 states introduced legislation related to increasing access to and funding for full-day kindergarten.

To better understand this increasing trend, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) has undertaken the first major national review of state kindergarten policies and practices. On Tuesday ECS launched a 50-state, interactive web database that gives users a picture of where and how state policy supports, develops and funds full-day kindergarten. The launch occurred during ECS' 2003 National Forum on Education Policy. To access this database, go to http://www.ecs.org/e-Connection-ps.

The March 2003 issue of Child Care Information Exchange contains an Exchange Trend Report, "Update on Child Care in the Public Schools." To order a copy of this issue, go to https://secure.ccie.com/catalog/cciecatalog.php?cPath=5. To review the complete comments of the 100 early childhood leaders interviewed for this report, go to http://mail.ccie.com/catalog/free_articles.php.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.