All-day kindergarten push continues in Grayslake
A Grayslake Elementary District 46 parent continues to publicly tout the benefits of full-day kindergarten in an effort to persuade the school board to approve such a program.
Jamie Taylor presented an updated petition to the school board with about 200 signatures supporting all-day kindergarten without a special fee attached. Many people who signed the petition provided comments on why they want a longer kindergarten day at District 46.
"I've recently moved into the district," wrote resident Charles Larish. "My older son in first grade was in full-day kindergarten where we lived before and it is clear that he benefited greatly from the experience, as he is advanced beyond anything he is currently doing in his first-grade class now. I would like my younger child to have as good or better experience when he gets to be school aged."
Taylor, who again thanked the District 46 board at a recent meeting for allowing her to make presentations during public comment time, called attention to another school system implementing full-day kindergarten. Northbrook Elementary District 27 board members voted Nov. 20 to start the program in the 2015-16 academic season.
Educators who have addressed full-time kindergarten at other suburban school districts have typically cited studies showing such programs result in the young children scoring higher on standardized tests and having more grade-level promotions. Proponents also contend longer kindergarten days lead to social and emotional improvements for children.
"There's more time for just questioning (and) curiosity by children," Taylor told the District 46 board.
Another District 46 all-day kindergarten supporter contends approval of the proposal would be a "no brainer" for the school board.
"With the knowledge required for today's children, and with competing education across the pond, we need to educate our children more," resident Adam Mivelaz said. "Why are we letting (District) 46 children get behind while other districts are making it the norm."
About 76 percent of kindergarten students statewide are in class all day, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll has said the full-day kindergarten issue will be addressed as part of strategic planning.
Gurnee-based Woodland Elementary District 50 board members in August agreed to launch full-day kindergarten in the 2015-16 academic year, with officials citing support for the program in a community survey. Woodland won't charge tuition for the all-day kindergarten.