Study Urges Work on Kindergarten Policy

ECS Report Contends States Are Lacking Clear Rules, Incentives

States need to clarify and strengthen their policies on full-day kindergarten so youngsters have high-quality learning experiences during that critical year, concludes a study released by the Education Commission of the States.

The Denver-based organization’s analysis of kindergarten statutes in all 50 states found that most states lack policies guaranteeing access to full-day kindergarten, don’t have rules for how kindergarten programs should be paid for by the state, and don’t have specific standards on instructional and teacher quality.

States also vary widely on how they define a full day: Some say four hours constitutes a full day, while others require six hours. And most states don’t collect data by race, ethnicity, and family income on which children are attending...