Numbers can't tell the whole story. But they're a good place to start.
Before an all-day every-day kindergarten program -- the first in the Traverse City school district -- started at Blair and Traverse Heights elementary schools in the 2007-08 school year, just 20 percent of kindergarten students there met benchmark standards in reading. One out of five.
In the 2008-09 school year, that number had jumped to an astounding 89 percent at Blair -- almost nine out of 10 -- the highest in the district.
Also last year, the four elementary schools with all-day, every-day kindergarten had at least an 81 percent proficiency rating in reading. None of the nine other elementary schools hit 80 percent, a level Jame McCall, executive director of elementary and special education, considers the minimum target by year's end.
Now, hundreds of students across the district could get the same benefit if the district can find a way to fund all-day, every-day kindergarten at all 13 elementary schools.
A few years from now this may be recalled as the moment when the district began thinking -- and acting -- like an entrepreneur. While the district isn't losing as many students as it has in recent years, offering all-day kindergarten in every elementary school in the district is a great selling point (enrollment is up at the kindergargen level) and is sure to attract parents from neighboring districts or private schools.
The program is aimed at parents as much as it is kids. For one-parent households or families in which both adults work -- the norm today -- being able to send a kindergarten-aged child to a full day of school is a godsend.
No finding quality day care, no payments they can't afford.
None of that would matter if all-day kindergarten turned out to be just taxpayer-supported day care. In fact, if that were the case there would be no way to justify the cost and the toll on kids that a full day of school at age 5 or so would take.
But anecdotally and through test results, the program has proven itself. Children seem to cope better and progress faster.
The district wants to open at least one section of all-day, every day in every school and offer alternate and half-day options at five buildings for parents and children for whom this is not a good fit.
The district appears committed to making this happen, and now -- despite its budget woes. The board and administration have to cut $6 million by the fall, and it is easy to imagine a new program getting the ax.
But administrators intend to make structural changes to the elementary budget to make room for expanded kindergarten offerings.
It's a good idea, and offering it now is a great idea. Children and parents should both benefit.
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