Question Scans

Question Scans

Question 29: Given the goal of creating an early learning program that enables all children to have a good foundation for academic success, especially those children from disadvantage households, should scarce resources be spent on full-day kindergarten or on a part-time program for all four year olds?

Overview

This Question Scan gathers research that attempts to evaluate full-day versus part-time kindergarten programs.

Of particular interest was whether or not these all-day programs produced any long-term benefits for students that do not occur with half-day programs. Furthermore, the scan focused on studies that attempted to assess whether a particular program provided a good foundation for academic success for four-year olds from disadvantaged households.

A search was conducted in three databases, and twenty relevant websites were scanned. A total of 230 articles were found, grouped according to the evidence measuring the success of age-appropriate programs, cost-benefit analysis, full-day and part-time structured programs.

Sufficient research is available to conduct a systematic review of two questions:

  1. Is there evidence to suggest that any long term educational benefit is derived from full-day kindergarten? and
  2. Do four-year-olds receive any long term educational benefits by attending part-time junior kindergarten (pre-k) programs?

Three other themes provide useful supplemental information, though an in-depth review is not recommended in those areas due to the limited research available.

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