D90 Administrative Recommendation: Full-Day

Kindergarten

Board of Education Meeting

1/23/12

Overview of the Issue

• Topic originated in 5-year Strategic Plan• Extensive research/review over the last

18 months• Focus for Superintendent’s Leadership

Council (SLC)• Input of Administrative Council (ADCO)• Many steps taken to investigate the

viability of full-day kindergarten for D90

Investigatory Steps

• Site visits to other programs: D97 & D102• Thorough review of financial projections• Kindergarten perception survey to parents• Focus groups with kindergarten faculty • Extensive review of expected impact from

Common Core• Consultation with outside superintendents• Thorough review of academic research regarding

impact of full-day kindergarten on achievement

Investigatory Steps (Cont.)

• Interviews with D90 elementary principals• Interviews with principals of other full-day

programs• Discussion with D90 PTO groups• Review of D90 standardized assessments, with

emphasis on grades K-1 and 8• Review of potential “opportunity costs”• Consultation with SLC to consider needs and

implications for student remediation

Review of Research/Resources

• Initial report from SLC in 2010-2011• Content from multiple sources, including

recent research, professional literature, and case studies

• Updated SLC/Superintendent’s report in November 2011

• Second review did not yield substantial updated research data

Review of Research/Resources

• No significant research was identified regarding full-day kindergarten in like districts

• Some research indicating positive impact of full-day kindergarten on student achievement

• Research generally indicates that increase in student achievement is negated by third grade

• Many research studies inconclusive• Concerns regarding research methodology

D90 Student Achievement

• Current achievement data indicates strong performance district-wide (MAP)

• Review of Dibels data - grades K & 1• Review of ISAT data, emphasis on grade 8

Conclusion: It is unclear if the implementation of full-day kindergarten would result in increased student achievement performance

Review of D90 Parent Survey

• Survey provided to D90 parents with students in first through fourth grade; self-reported data

• 228 respondents (53% L, 47% W)• 90% of respondents rated kindergarten

experience in D90 as excellent or good• 91% of of D90 elementary students attended

preschool for two years • 68% supplemented kindergarten with other

outside instructional or social programs

Financial Implications of FDK

• Operating Fund Financial Projections through 2021 (please see handout)

• Pro forma projections through 2021 (please see handout)

**Documents are not a complete financial projection set, which could also include future alternative revenue sources as well as future capital expenditures

Financial Implications (Cont.)

• Construction considerations: Roosevelt School, need for modular classrooms

• Estimated total cost for full-day kindergarten through 2021: $6.2 million

• “Opportunity costs” for other projects• Unanticipated expenditures (such as potential

district costs due to pension reform)

Important Acknowledgements

• Advent of the Common Core curriculum and the effect on the instructional program

• Importance of maintaining social and emotional learning experiences for students

• Needs of identified kindergarten students who require remediation or intervention in advance of first grade

• Anecdotal belief that “more will be better”

Recommendation

Recommendation primarily founded on the following determinations:

• Lack of conclusive research/evidence• Potential for unintended consequences• Significant financial and opportunity costs• Current level of documented student

achievement

Recommendation

Recommendation: The Board of Education should not proceed at this juncture in instituting a full-day kindergarten program. However, the District should research and establish a voluntary program of appropriate interventions for those students in need of remediation in advance of first grade.

Thank You

D90 Board of Education Meeting

January 23, 2012