Full-day

Kindergarten
Proposal
Why Full-day Kindergarten?

In a 2000 study, 100 percent of full-day parents and 72 percent of half-day parents
noted that, if given the opportunity again, they would have chosen full-day
kindergarten for their child. (National Center for Educational Statistics)

A full-day Kindergarten option offers choice and flexibility for students and parents.

District 91’s kindergarten enrollment has declined the past 2 years.

 SPRINT
A SPRINT is a multi-day process for product or service
development.

To tackle this challenge, we formed a SPRINT team

made of directors, principals, and instructional coaches.
Research
● Results from short-term and longitudinal research focusing on the benefits of full-day
kindergarten are definitely mixed, but the data generally favor full-day kindergarten programs
over half-day programs (Ackerman, Barnett, & Robin, 2005).
● Research suggests that full-day kindergarten has some short-term and long-term positive effects
on students' academic outcomes beyond their kindergarten years.
● Short-term and longitudinal research demonstrate that both teachers and parents feel there are
numerous benefits for children both academically and socially enrolled in full-day kindergarten
programs.

Our SPRINT team recommends that we conduct our own research with a
full-day kindergarten pilot to study cohorts of students measured
year-over-year for three years.
System Impact Research

● Transportation - Full-day kindergarten students would ride the

regular bus. Full-day kindergarten would not impact transportation costs.
● Food Service - Kindergarten students are reimbursed at the same rate as other students for
breakfast and lunch. Full-day kindergarten would have limited to no impact food service.
● Specials - Half-day kindergarten classes currently receive specials. No additional specials will be
necessary. Scheduling specials may actually be easier with access to kindergarten students
increased by them being in the building longer.
● Curriculum Materials - Full-day would use existing curriculum materials.
Estimated Cost Per Kindergarten Unit

Half-Day Kindergarten Full-Day Kindergarten

Class (25 students): Class (25 students):
● Half-time teacher $32,527 ● Full-time teacher $65,055.26
● Kinder Aide $7,644 ● Kinder Aide $16,980.00
● Lunch Duty/recess $0 ● Lunch Duty/recess $1500.00
● Transportation $0 ● Transportation $0
● Food Services $0 ● Food Services $0

Current cost per unit for ½ Day: ~$40,171 Total Per Unit Cost: ~$83,535

Additional cost per unit: ~$43,000

Tuition Based Model
● A non-refundable registration fee of $25
● Monthly tuition of $275 dollars for nine months totaling $2,475 per child
● Tuition will offset the cost of staffing for the additional ½ day
D91 Full-day Kindergarten Looks Like:
● Full-day kindergarten will have a certified classroom teacher and full-time aid.
● Full-day kindergarten will differ from extended day in that it will be one class of 25 students, all
day long.
● Each full-day class will have 25 students.
● The majority of students should come from the school’s attendance area.
● Full-day kindergarten will follow the D91 kindergarten scope and sequence and use existing
kindergarten instructional resources, services, facilities, technology, and furniture.
● Full-day kindergarten will participate in the food service program.
● Transportation will be provided for those students living within the school’s boundaries and
outside the walking zone.
Registration Process

● Parents will have the option to request half-day or full-day

Kindergarten
● We will use a lottery system to randomly select 25 students.
● The lottery will take place at the end of May.
● A waiting list will be created with remaining lottery students.
● All guardians will be contacted regarding enrollment status.
Full-day Kindergarten Location Criteria

● Physical space and other adequate facilities for full-day

kindergarten
● Adequate staffing
● Parent interest survey results
● No additional cost to system
Full-day Kindergarten Proposal

● Select three qualifying schools for one session of full-day kindergarten.

● Implementation limited to provide a quality program for our students.
● Requirement of 25 students for full-day at the selected schools.
● Students are selected using a true lottery process.
● Waiver students will be considered upon space available.
● Longitudinal study on the cohort of students that participate, comparing
them to students that attended half day kindergarten.
Next Steps
● Communicate proposal to all stakeholders
● Publicize and distribute parent interest survey
● Distribute teacher interest survey
● Establish the schools that meet the selection criteria
● Registration
● Decision to move forward
● Hire teachers
● Hold lottery
● Communicate enrollment placement to parents
● Plan instructional model - summer 2018
● Implement - August 29, 2018
We believe by implementing full-day
kindergarten, we will better serve the
needs of our community and impact
long-term student
success.