Bethlehem Area School District's Board of School Directors approved a universal full-day kindergarten plan Jan. 28. While 10 schools already offer a limited number of full-day kindergarten classes, the district plans to expand the program to all 16 elementary schools for the 2015-16 school year. The district also aims to expedite registration processes, improve full-day kindergarten curriculum with pre-K programs and PA Core Standards, and work with university and community partners to enhance resources and improve program outcomes.

Pennsylvania is one of only six states that do not require districts to provide any kindergarten programs at all. Unequal access to publicly funded full-day and high-quality kindergarten means too many young children lose a critical opportunity to develop and strengthen foundational skills necessary for early success in school.

New studies in student achievement consistently illustrate the importance of a seamless early childhood learning continuum beginning at birth and continuing into third grade. Criteria for a successful early learning continuum include full-day kindergarten programs staffed with highly-qualified teachers and curriculum alignment throughout the continuum.

There is a significant increase in the amount of instructional time provided by full-day programs: children enrolled in full-day kindergarten receive approximately 1,080 hours of instruction, while students enrolled in half-day kindergarten only receive approximately 540 hours of instruction. Student achievement among children attending full-day kindergarten is proving to be greater than for those who attend half-day kindergarten.

Full-day kindergarten promotes the whole child focus of the BASD Roadmap to Educational Excellence and boosts students' cognitive learning, creative problem-solving, and social competence. An overwhelming body of educational research indicates that full-day kindergarteners are more prepared for school and deal better with the transition to first grade, show significant gains in school socialization, and are equipped with stronger learning skills.

Full-day kindergarten students have higher academic achievement in later grades, better attendance, and show faster gains on literacy and language measures when compared to half-day kindergarten students. Additionally, full-day kindergarten students show enhanced social, emotional, and behavioral development, and have reduced retention and remediation rates.

Implementing universal full-day kindergarten will have a significant organizational impact on the BASD. Based on current and anticipated enrollment, there will be a need to add 12 full-time equivalent staff at an approximate additional cost of $500,000, as included in the preliminary 2015-16 district budget proposal. Attritional and other staffing savings will reduce the net expense of instituting universal full-day kindergarten.

There will also be a need to dedicate additional facilities and classroom space for full-day kindergarten, thus the space, time, and program for child care and potentially Pre-K Counts classrooms will have to be repurposed. It is likely that BASD child care will become a "Before School & After school Program" rather than a full-day program in 2015-16.

Although implementing a full-day kindergarten program necessitates considerable commitment, the BASD school board, administration and staff recognizes the critical importance of a robust kindergarten program to the future success of students.