Should your child attend Kindergarten? The data suggests they may not need it.
by Kelley Rosario, M.S.Ed.
For many Americans, public school offers benefits that reach far beyond education: affordable childcare, socialization, and meals. However, across the years, a growing number Kindergarten-aged students have been denied access to it.
The Problem
Full-day Kindergarten is not required in the majority of states. Currently, only 19 states and Washington DC require that children attend Kindergarten as their first year of schooling. In states where it isn’t required, many families find themselves locked out; no requirement, no guaranteed access. Some of those states offer part-day programs, which are typically limited to a two-hour block, and admission to full-day programs are sometimes lottery-selected, tuition-based, or both. Kindergarten has become a privilege. Historically, those who find themselves locked out are from disenfranchised communities; poor minorities. However, “not required” is not synonymous with “not beneficial”, especially in the case of early childhood education. Since the school environment fosters both cognitive and social/emotional development, one would think that children who miss the Kindergarten year would also miss those vital benefits of the school experience; the cornerstones on which critical thinking, problem solving, and appropriate peer-to-peer interactions are built. So what happens to a child who doesn’t attend? The answer may shock you.
There is no sound data which proves that a child who does not attend full-day kindergarten actually suffers long term academic setbacks. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data presents some surprising findings: while no fourth grader in the country met the NAEP standard for reading proficiency (a score of 238), the average student living in states that do not require full-day Kindergarten scored almost as close to proficient as students who lived in states that do. The average score in states where the program is not required was 220; in states where it is required, the average score was 229 with the highest scores belonging to states that do not require Kindergarten. Math scores show similar findings. The NAEP standard for proficiency in Math is a score of 249. In states where Kindergarten is required, the average score was 238 while in states where it was not required, the average was 233. However, once again the highest scoring states were those that did not require Kindergarten. While the differences in the numbers of states requiring Kindergarten and not requiring it makes it difficult to compare averages, the data still suggests that students who don’t attend that year might not suffer academic setbacks from which they cannot quickly recover. With this information in mind, parents are faced with a tough decision: “do I send my kid or not?”
State Tests | Proficiency Score | Kindergarten Required | Kindergarten Not Required | Highest Scores (Required/Not Required) |
Reading | 238 | 229 | 220 | 225-231 (Not Required) |
Math | 249 | 238 | 233 | 246-247 (Not Required) |
The Solution
A parent is a child’s first teacher. As such, we’re not only the first to introduce them to the fundamentals of reading and Math, but we are also the first to recognize when they need more support than we can provide. It’s important to identify cognitive and social/emotional milestones and make sure your child is reaching them before the age of five. If not, your child may need the benefits of attending Kindergarten. The instruction a certified teacher provides can be instrumental in closing any gaps parents notice or identifying a need for interventions, especially in historically underserved communities. In states where the majority of families have two working parents or one single, full-time working parent, Kindergarten is the best option because, as mentioned before, it provides benefits beyond education.
If you live in a state where Kindergarten is not required, but you believe your child should attend, programs like Head Start and Early Start are designed to meet that need. These programs are free, but income based and occasionally have waitlists.
In the case of tuition-based programs, parents should apply for scholarships early and be sure to ask about discounts.
Lottery selections are a tad more difficult to navigate because they rely on chance. Some schools give priority to certain groups of people: low income, previous families, and employee families to name a few. Ask questions and learn as much as you can about your child’s chances of being selected and how you can increase those chances.
In short, if you live in a state where Kindergarten isn’t required, the decision to send your child is entirely up to your needs and your stamina: how badly does your child need the support of a certified teacher?; how much energy are you willing to put into applying, waiting, asking, calling, begging, etc.?; how many times can you hear “no, sorry” before you give up?; do the demands of your profession significantly limit the amount of time you can invest in teaching your child? If you need it, pursue it. The longest you’ll have to wait is a year.
How Can Greater Writing Help?
Although our services do not begin until 6th grade, we provide a wide variety of supports to students who are still dealing with the same challenges they faced throughout their elementary years. Before the first session, we consult with every client assess writing proficiency. We use that data to design an instructional plan specific to the client’s unique needs. Our approach to education helps close the gap between where our clients are and where they want to be.
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