Batavia schools will expand help in kindergarten

The Batavia School District is looking to expand its kindergarten programs for at-risk students next year.

A study of four years of kindergarten classes showed that those special programs helped students who were behind catch up to their peers.

The same study of test scores showed that by second grade there was no advantage for students who attended full-day kindergarten over those who were in half-day kindergarten.

While full-day students had higher testing scores going into first grade, that difference had evaporated by the second semester, according to a committee that studied the scores.

Children who were enrolled in half-day kindergarten and additional programs like WHEEL -- We Help Enrich Early Literacy -- were far closer to their peers by the end of the year, said Jan Wright, Batavia associate superintendent for teaching and learning.

"Our No. 1 priority is creating more extended-day programs," she said.

It's possible that might free up more full-day kindergarten spots, Wright said.

"Is that going to meet everyone's needs? I don't know yet," she said.

Although parents who want their children in half-day kindergarten almost always get their wish, about 20 percent of the parents who want their children in full-day kindergarten don't.

About two-thirds of the district's students attend full-day kindergarten sections. A lottery is held in the spring for students to go in the full-day spots.

There's no plans to change that system now, Wright said.

Right now the full-day kindergarten actually is making the district money, because the state pays more aid to the district for full-time students.

However, the district expects to be moved into a different category soon for state aid, which would pay a flat rate for each student, Wright said.