Saucon Valley School District officials continue to discuss and consider the transition from half-day to full-day kindergarten.

Lehigh University Assistant Professor Brook Sawyer presented the school board with statistical data Feb. 9 supporting the transition.

According to Sawyer, moving to full-day benefits the students and district by decreasing drop-out rates and increasing the reading and writing skills of students.

Students who are unable to read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school, Sawyer told the board.

Full-day kindergarten, Sawyer said, adds an additional four hours of instruction time versus the typical two hours for half-day kindergarten. The additional hours, she argued, have a positive impact on the ability of the student to learn, while also improving the social and emotional stability of the student, as well as the overall attendance record.

Also pushing for the transition to full-day has been district Superintendent Monica McHale-Small.

McHale-Small said full-day kindergarten is vital in helping students attain the ability to read on grade level by third-grade.

According to McHale-Small, the district’s third-grade reading test scores remain lower than similarly situated schools with higher numbers of children living in poverty and students with special needs.

Board President Michael Karabin noted the transition to full-day would not require the hiring of additional teachers. He also said there is sufficient facility space for the transition, however, the district would have to take into consideration scheduling, such as adding a longer day, and transportation. Program costs, he said, are currently being analyzed.

McHale-Small said she plans to present to the board a recommendation transitioning to full-day kindergarten in the near future.

“We can do better,” she told the board.

Karabin added of the transition to full-day kindergarten, “I would almost rely on blind faith and approve it.”

McHale-Small said she wants the full-day kindergarten program to begin September 2016 or September 2017.