Guest columnists Brian Minsker and Robin Steans: Build on state's Smart Start initiative with commitment to full-day kindergarten
Kindergarten is a pivotal year for young children and families. Serving as the bridge from early childhood into the early elementary years, it provides children with the foundational skills they need for long-term school success.
Research shows children attending full-day kindergarten have better attendance through the early grades, demonstrate improved social skills, show gains in literacy and language and achieve higher academic outcomes over time. And while these benefits are important for all students, they are especially critical for students at greater risk of falling behind.
The good news is that most Illinois children already have access to full-day kindergarten. According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), 755 districts reported offering some type of kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year (Illinois has 752 elementary or unit districts). And according to the agency, of the children enrolled in kindergarten, roughly 92% are currently in full-day programs.
But gaps in access remain, and steps to address them are urgently needed. Current law lets districts decide whether or not to offer kindergarten, whether its full- or half-day, so families in some districts do not have the option to enroll their children.
On top of giving working parents the tricky task of navigating career obligations and the complexity of no full-day or half-day kindergarten, Illinois is leaving to chance whether children will receive adequate learning time and experiences to support their success.
In his Smart Start Illinois proposal, Gov. J.B. Pritzker advocates strongly for universal preschool. As we push to ensure preschool for all, it only makes sense to ensure that every child also has access to kindergarten and a strong start to their next phase of education. Indeed, it makes little sense to strengthen preschool without ensuring that children can transition smoothly to kindergarten.
While there is broad support for every district to provide access to full-day kindergarten, some have raised concerns, wondering whether the few districts that don't already make this option available will be able to afford it, or whether there may be challenges in staffing a new classroom. Importantly, it is worth noting that the state's school funding formula provides operating dollars to cover full-day kindergarten. As for possible capital costs (which may or may not be needed), the bill sponsor has pledged to work with the Governor's Office and legislators to identify capital dollars, as soon as possible.
In the meantime, districts will have up to six years to plan and execute any expansion. That lead time, combined with the state's economic position, means we can and must make the investments our young learners need - investments that the vast majority of districts have already prioritized and managed.
And the state is making significant strides to expand the educator pipeline through investments in the Monetary Award Program (MAP), targeted scholarship programs such as the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship (MTI), educator pathways programs and a targeted Early Childhood pipeline program.
Taken together, this is the right time to close this remaining gap in the education programs available to children. Our state, our children and our families cannot wait.
As the state considers embracing Smart Start Illinois, we have a responsibility to ensure every student has the opportunity to gain the benefits of a full day of kindergarten - that we give our youngest learners the strongest possible bridge into their school years. It is the right thing for our children, our families, our communities and, ultimately, our state.
• Brian Minsker is the legislative advocacy director at Illinois PTA. Robin Steans is President of the bipartisan education policy and advocacy organization, Advance Illinois.