(State Senator Irma Clark-Coleman served two terms in the State House of Representatives, before being elected to the State Senate in 2002. As a result of her many years of educational experience, she was appointed to the National Education Commission in 2004.
The Senator represents District 3, which is entirely in Wayne County. Welcome to BFM, Senator! - promoted by Christine)
A new school year will begin in less than one month, and we will have again missed an opportunity to give many Michigan children the start to their educations they need and deserve. Believe it or not, Michigan still does not require children to attend kindergarten. For years, I have worked to increase this access and have again introduced SB 162, which would make full-day kindergarten mandatory for all Michigan children. And what better time than as we await fall school opening and a budget agreement?
August is "Get Ready for Kindergarten" Month. Part of preparing children to learn in kindergarten is ensuring that every child has access to this proven and necessary component of early development. In fact, experts agree, children achieve far more success in grade school and beyond if they attend full-day kindergarten. If we are serious about creating a well-trained and educated workforce to move our state and our economy forward, we must start at the beginning.
Ever since the 1930s, kindergarten has been delivered as primarily a half-day program. Parents had the option of sending their children or not. But education has made some pretty great strides in the past 70+ years, and part of that progress includes recognizing the value of full-day mandatory kindergarten. Years of research have shown that full-day kindergarten gives children an academic, social and developmental edge over their half-day counterparts.
Full-day kindergarten provides continuity for children who are used to all-day experiences outside the home. It offers stability with 1st grade schedules and beyond. It also reduces the number of disruptions children experience in a given day, and it allows teachers more time for both formal and informal instruction.
Today, nine states require that districts offer full-day kindergarten. And currently, 60 percent of kindergarteners attend a full day program. Fourteen states require children to attend kindergarten, and two of those - West Virginia and Louisiana - require all-day attendance. At the local level, many districts have begun implementing full-day kindergarten programs, regardless of state law, in order to meet the demands of parents and the needs of children.
Studies have also shown that every child who attends full-day kindergarten benefits from the extended learning hours and the consistent learning curriculum regardless of their ethnic or economic group. If Michigan is serious about its commitment to education, we must become a leader in innovative and effective education strategies. And if we're sincere about producing an educated workforce to make our economy competitive, we must give students the tools they need. All-day kindergarten will help provide that competitive edge.
