Indiana

WFIE News
Daniels: 3 Full-Day Kindy Proposals

Sep 21, 2006 07:56 AM

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels presents three different financial scenarios, to implement full-day kindergarten statewide.

The Governor's proposals include one that would make it available statewide for the 2007-2008 school year, and two others that would phase it in over five years.

Daniels' budget office estimates making full-day kindergarten available statewide in the 2007-2008 school year would cost about $166 million.

The Governor is making full-day kindergarten a top priority in the legislative session that begins in January.

UPDATE, FRI, 1:30 PM: School officials in the tiny New Harmony district say their full-day kindergarten program helps prepare children for first grade.

New Harmony has a long history with early childhood education.

The town was the site of a utopian community in the 1800s that believed in free education and sent children as young as three to boarding school.

Governor Daniels is making all-day kindergarten his top priority for the next legislative session.

This is the first year of New Harmony's full-day program. Of the 15 kindergarten students in the tiny district, ten participate in the full-day option.

Parents pay $60 a week for the full-day program.

UPDATE, THU, 8:00 AM: Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says full-day kindergarten will be one of his top legislative priorities next year.

Daniels says it's time to push for the full-day program - even with the difficulties expected. One of those is funding. Early estimates put the price between $120 million and $150 million a year.

Critics worry it will become tax-supported babysitting.

But supporters say investing in early childhood education pays-off in the long run.

The EVSC already has full-day kindergarten at eight of its schools.

Previously: Governor Mitch Daniels is planning to meet with the state's Education Roundtable Wednesday afternoon, to talk about the possibility of state-funded, full-day kindergarten.

Daniels says full-day kindergarten will be one of his top priorities for the legislative session next year. But he has questions about implementing such a program.

Daniels said in a memo to Roundtable members, he wants to talk Wednesday about possible problems with full-day kindergarten - like whether schools have enough space for it and whether transportation will be an issue.

Some estimates say offering optional full-day kindergarten at every Indiana school district could cost between $120 million and $150 million a year.

Education advocates say full-day programs help students prepare for first grade.