WHEREAS, Delaware
currently mandates a child of kindergarten-eligible age must attend a half-day
of kindergarten unless otherwise excepted; and
WHEREAS,
in June, 2004, the Delaware Joint Finance Committee apportioned funds to
establish up to 10 pilot full-day kindergartens for 2004-2005; and
WHEREAS,
in June, 2005, the University of Delaware, College of Human Services,
Education and Public Policy under
Professor Michael Gamel-McCormick, undertook an in depth study and analysis of
these 10 pilot programs comparing them to part-day kindergarten programs; and
WHEREAS, the
University of Delaware's
analysis revealed that the Delaware
students in full-day kindergarten had stronger literacy skills than students in
part-day kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, the
University of Delaware's analysis revealed that students in full-day
kindergarten achieved 6 of 8 kindergarten standards more often than part-day
kindergarten students by the end of the school year; and
WHEREAS,
the University of Delaware analysis revealed that kindergarten teachers
overwhelmingly feel that full-day kindergarten better prepares children for
first grade; and
WHEREAS,
98% of parents with children in full-day kindergarten and 72% of parents
with children in part-day kindergarten indicated they preferred to have their
children enrolled in full-day kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, 60% of all kindergartners nationwide
attend a full-day program; and
WHEREAS,
several school districts in Delaware, recognizing how important full-day
kindergarten is, have on their own struggled to find the money to fund, and
indeed, do fund, full-day kindergarten for every child in their district whose
parents select it; and
WHEREAS,
all charter schools that offer kindergarten offer full-day kindergarten;
and
WHEREAS, it is critical to the State of Delaware
that all kindergarten children be provided the opportunity for full-day
kindergarten regardless of whether the parent can afford to pay for it.
Section 1.
This Act shall be referred to as the “Full-day Kindergarten Act.”
Section 2.
Amend Title 14, Section 1049(1) of the Delaware Code by adding before
the word “kindergarten” the words “Beginning at the start of the 2008-2009
school year,”.
Section 3.
Amend Title 14, Section 1049(1) of the Delaware Code by deleting the
words “440 hours” and substituting in lieu thereof the words “1060 hours”.
Section 4.
Amend Title 14, Section 1049(1) of the Delaware Code by deleting the
number “1” after the phrase “The number of hours in a school day for grades”
and substituting in lieu thereof the letter “k”.
Section 5.
Amend Title 14, Chapter 27, Section 2702 of the Delaware
Code by inserting a new subsection “c(3)” to read as follows:
“(3) The parent, guardian,
legal custodian or relative care giver, as defined in Section 202(f)(2) of this
Title, of a child who is eligible for admission to kindergarten at age 5 may
opt for the child to attend kindergarten for a half-day per day, totaling 440
hours in a school year.”
Section 6. This Act shall become effective upon a
specific appropriation by the General Assembly to begin funding the costs of
full-day kindergarten.
