While national political dialogue has focused on improving preschool, the first years of elementary school has gotten less attention, even though its requirements vary significantly state to state, finds a new report by the Education Commission of the States.
Researchers from the group analyzed key state policies on kindergarten through 3rd grade. They found, for example, that 19 states and Washington D.C. require schools to plan students’ transition from preschool to kindergarten.
However, only 11 states require full-day kindergarten of the same length as higher grades. In some states, kindergarten can be as little as two hours a day, and 1st grade as little as four hours.
